Dear Members of the Director's State Commanders Advisory Council:
I would like to keep you apprised of some current topics impacting Veteran health care here at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS).
Joint Commission
VASNHS underwent its tri-annual unannounced Joint Commission accreditation survey on January 28-31. This was the first comprehensive hospital survey since opening the new medical center. The surveyors consistently cited not only the beautiful new facilities, but more importantly, the engagement of our staff, willingness to participate in the survey process, and the staff's knowledge, competence, and demonstrated commitment to caring for our Veterans. We had zero findings in Behavioral Health Care and zero findings in Life Safety. We had a few findings under Hospital and Home Care which we will be addressing and submitting plans to demonstrate corrective action.
Opioid Management
As a result of dramatic national increases in overdose deaths from prescription opioid medications (eg. Hydrocodone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Methadone), VA is making changes in the treatment of pain management. VASNHS providers are closely reviewing the risks and benefits of pain therapy, and opioid medications or doses may be changed if presenting a high safety risk. Veterans who may not understand the reason for changes may be contacting your office.
Acute Rehabilitation
VASNHS plans to open 10 acute rehabilitation beds toward the end of February/beginning of March. These beds are located in the Community Living Center (CLC) building with plans to add 10 additional beds in the near future. Veterans will benefit from an intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.
Dialysis Expansion
VASNHS is expanding its Dialysis Unit capacity. Currently, dialysis services are available at the medical center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Starting in mid-March, dialysis will be available six days per week adding Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to improve Veteran access. This will shift services currently provided in the community to the medical center.
Automated Telephone System
VASNHS recently expanded the functionality of its automated telephone system. New features will allow Veterans to call and request medication renewals and cancel their clinic appointments over the telephone.
Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
At a national level, VA is changing the format of its Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). VASNHS is taking identification pictures at the medical center, Primary Care Clinics, and Pahrump Primary Care Outpatient Clinic. Cards are issued from a national centralized location; however, cards are not being issued at this time due to technical issues. It is anticipated that cards will be issued at the end of February 2014. Veterans can continue to use their existing cards and any eligible Veteran without a card will not be turned away.
Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Reliance Upon VA
The Department of Veteran Affairs will be conducting the 2014 VHA Survey of Enrollees in order to better understand the health care service needs of Veterans. This information supports annual VHA projections of enrollment, utilization, and expenditures, as well as a variety of high level VHA budget and policy related analyses. VHA will be randomly sampling enrollees in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) who will be contacted starting the week of February 18.
Construction
· Construction of the administrative building continues at the medical center campus with a tentative completion in late 2014.
· The Women's Health Center on the third floor of the medical center is currently under construction with an anticipated summer 2014 completion.
· An Emergency Room expansion project will soon break ground with an estimated completion in early 2015.
· VASNHS has received preliminary approval for a Fisher House to be constructed on campus. Construction will begin in late 2014/2015.
· Construction of the Laughlin Clinic continues with an estimated completion in summer 2014.
· VASNHS is working on securing a new lease in Pahrump to expand clinical space. The existing clinic will remain open until a new lease and construction is completed.
Thank you for your continued support of our health care system and the Veterans we serve.
Isabel Duff, MS (SES)
Director
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