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  WNC-MOAA : Western North Carolina Chapter MOAA COVID-19 and Health: Information about the Pandemic

 
 
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Charles George VA Medical Center

COVID Daily Friday August 21, 2020

* VEText: We have launched VEText mobile check-in facility wide! If you haven't heard about this text-based feature that allows Veterans to remotely check into their scheduled appointments from the safety of their cars, please click here to learn more. Feedback from those who have piloted this program at our facility has been positive: decreased wait times, better communication and improved work flow. More to come!

* Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) : The new secure web-based portal will simplify how eligible Veterans and beneficiaries claim mileage reimbursement for travel to and from both VA health care or VA authorized non-VA health care service locations.

* Flu Shots : Dr. Stone, VHA Executive in Charge, recently sent an email to all VA employees noting that flu shots are considered PPE. As such, all VHA health care personnel, including volunteers, are mandated to get a flu shot with limited religious and medical exceptions.

* Did you know you don't have to be onsite to shop at Veterans Canteen Service? To learn more or start shopping, simply click this link.

* New Inpatient Psychiatric unit : [Asheville MH Opening] Deanne Seekins, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) director, joined Charles George VA Medical Center leadership, medical practitioners and Facilities Management personnel in cutting a ribbon to symbolically open the new in-patient psychiatric unit at the medical center Aug. 11.

According to Dr. Laura Tugman, CGVAMC Assistant Chief of Mental Health Services, "We've really been pushing forward. We've really worked hard to create a recovery-focused environment." Tugman said that Dave Przestrzelski, CGVAMC Chief Nurse Executive, had a lot to do with the successful transition of the unit from a more medical environment to one that's attractive and comfortable. "This unit marks the culmination of renovating all of our inpatient units," Przestrzelski said. "What we ended up with is one of the most beautiful healing environments I have ever seen for a mental health inpatient unit."

One of the biggest standouts of the new unit is the outdoor balcony which allows Veterans to be able to get closer with nature. "It allows the Veterans to practice coping skills and recovery skills," Tugman said. "It's hard to experience the power of being outside and getting fresh air if you can't go outside." Tugman said there are other challenges in addition to the design,. "One of those challenges is accounting for Veteran safety while still making it comfortable," she said. "It would be easy just to make it safe, but to make it safe and to still have a healing component isn't easy." The new unit still has final inspections from Facilities Management and Patient Safety and is projected to open early this fall.

** Masking

Wearing a face mask can be frustrating when breathing fogs your glasses.

These tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology may help:

* Pinch the top of the mask to fit the shape of your nose.

* Use an anti-fogging solution or gently wash your lenses with soap and water before wearing them.

* Push your glasses forward on your nose to allow more air to circulate and keep your breath from fogging up your vision.

* Try pulling your mask up over your nose and rest your glasses on top of it

** You've been wearing your face covering (yay you!). But have you been keeping it clean? Here's how to wash your face mask.

News Releases

VA to award more than 425 grants, $279 million to help prevent and end Veteran homelessness

- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it will award more than 425 grants to community organizations totaling approximately $279 million under the Grant Per Diem (GPD) program.

VA partners with OnStar to bring suicide prevention services to Veterans with the push of a button

- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is partnering with OnStar's emergency services to improve access to suicide prevention resources for Veterans.

AI is helping the VBA speed up claims processes

- The Veterans Benefits Administration has cut the time it takes to process in-coming mail from 10 days to a single day. According to a release, the improvement comes thanks to an artificial intelligence solution that the VBA is now using. "Moving past manual mail processes to automation puts the emphasis on Veterans," said Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie in a release. "This new capability allows VA to process Veterans' claims quickly and efficiently."

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Posted 08/22/20 by WNC MOAA Under Serious Permalink 1598124529