What's New at Your VA?
VA is constantly working to provide more excellent service and care for Veterans. This includes new programs and initiatives, advanced training, and renovations and improvements to enhance health care facilities. Each VA project is an opportunity to improve the delivery of services to America's heroes. Featured below are some of the exciting improvements in quality of care taking place around the country: Click on the region below to find out what's new in that area.
Northeast | Southeast | Midwest | Northwest | Southwest
Northeast
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie visited Manchester VA Medical Center to recognize staff improvement work.SECVA Recognized Manchester VA for Improvements
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie visited Manchester VA Medical Center to recognize staff improvement work as part of the Department’s efforts to transform the nation’s largest integrated health care system into a high reliability organization (HRO).
“None of the improvements we’re making at the VA would be possible without the passion and commitment of our dedicated employees,” Wilkie said. “Our important mission can’t be accomplished by one person sending out orders from the top – it takes an engaged, bottom-up organization, which is exactly what we are.” Read more...
Southeast
Orlando VA's ambulance helps to race all patients to treatment.Every Second Counts
The Orlando Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center was 1 of 40 hospitals in the Central Florida region to execute the largest full-scale disaster preparedness community exercise.
Over the course of four hours, every second counted. The medical center activated the Incident Command Center, initiated HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) decontamination and treated patients.
Every service involved played a role in the exercise ranging from the Emergency Department treating the influx of patients to Social Work providing support to families. Read more...
Midwest
In recognition for continued leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship, the Madison VA Hospital (VAH) received its fifth Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award. Members of the Operating Room team who contributed to the waste reduction efforts pose by the surgery suites at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.Madison VA Hospital Receives Fifth Green Award
In recognition for continued leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship, the Madison VA Hospital (VAH) received its fifth Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award. This year, the Madison VAH also ranked in the top ten of all applicants, earning a spot in the Circle of Excellence, for efforts to reduce water consumption and to green the hospital’s operating room.
The Madison VAH has a long history of finding innovative ways to recycle and reduce waste and previously received the Greenhealth Emerald Award in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. In recent years, the Madison VAH made great strides in minimizing waste anesthetic gas emissions from the operating room and reducing water consumption, earning special recognition in these areas. Read more...
Northwest
Red Coat Ambassadors provide Veterans, their families, and guests a good positive first impression of the hospital,but their outreach goes far beyond a simple greeting.Red Coat Ambassadors:Serving our Nation's Veterans
It is an honor and a privilege to have served my country, and it is an honor and a privilege to now serve my fellow Veterans as a Red Coat Ambassador at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
The George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center introduced the Red Coat Ambassador program in 2017, and it can now be found at VA Medical Centers throughout the nation. The ambassadors are chosen from the VA Voluntary Services program. The men and women are made up of Veterans and civilians who are willing to give their time and talent to others.
Our mission is simple: provide assistance to our Veterans by making their visit to the medical center a positive and timely experience. Each of the volunteer ambassadors receives extensive training to ensure that they clearly understand the mission. We help promote a culture of care to Veterans, families and visitors throughout their stay in the hospital, and serve as an adjutant and concierge to solve the needs of the Veteran. Read more...
Southwest
Air Force Veteran Christopher Banks receives tele-mental health services from the comfort of his home from Social Worker Veronica Siffert, LCSW.Tele-mental Health: Makes it Easier to Get Care
Veterans who have a computer, smart phone, or tablet now have access to mental health services from the Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center. It’s tele-mental health, and it’s helped nearly 1,000 Houston-area Veterans get the care they need.
Tele-mental health uses the app VA Video Connect, a secure connection between the Veteran and provider. So long as the provider knows where the Veteran is—in case of emergency—it can be used anywhere.
Air Force Veteran Christopher Banks said he prefers therapy in the comfort of his own home.
"It is actually easier than coming into the facility,” Banks said. “I can be in my own home, which helps me with sharing. Plus, it’s much better because I don’t have to deal with traffic.” Read more...
