Atlanta VA's Home-Based Podiatry Pilot Program Breaks New Ground
The Atlanta VA is making it even easier for Veterans to get their feet checked. A new Podiatry pilot program at the Atlanta VA Health Care System is the first in the country to meet Veterans where they are – at home.
This pilot program is for Veterans who need it the most, in collaboration with the VA Southeast Network Clinical Resource Hub, the National VA Podiatry Program, and Atlanta Intermediate Care Technicians (ICT).
The Veterans most at risk for amputation sometimes can’t leave the house to see a podiatrist.
Technicians are already performing these services in rural areas at local VA clinics, however, the pilot program extends the High-risk Eye and Limb Preservation Program (HELPP) to a Veteran’s home. While the ICT is assessing the foot, they use telehealth to connect with a podiatrist in real time to identify concerns.
“One Intermediate Care Technician will usually see 10-12 patients at the clinic. Because of travel and geography, the ICT will only see 2-3 patients a day,” said Dr. Nichol Salvo, chief of Podiatry and program director of Limb Preservation at the Atlanta VA. “With that said, these are patients who have no ability to see Podiatry otherwise and many are the most comorbid and at greatest risk for amputation.”
One former U.S. Army combat medic continues to serve his country as an ICT.
“During my service, I was a combat medic as part of the 1-30th & 3-15th Infantry Battalion as well as, the 2-69th Armored Regiment Battalion,” said Brian Tells, who served during the Global War on Terrorism. “I choose to work for the VA to continue serving the nation and to meet Veterans of all eras.”