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VA » Health Care » VA Midwest Health Care Network » Network Update - February 2010

VA Midwest Health Care Network

Network Update - February 2010

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs
VA MIDWEST HEALTH CARE NETWORK
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23

NETWORK UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2010
www.visn23.va.gov

H1N1 Vaccines are available at all VA Medical Centers. Contact your local facility for flu information and clinic times.

Keeping Healthy During the Flu Season -Here are some things you can do to stay healthy during the influenza season:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Use personal protective equipment when appropriate.
Get a seasonal flu vaccine and a H1N1 flu vaccine, if you are in target groups identified by the CDC.
Have a supply of over-the-counter medications, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items on hand to help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are contagious.

VA Wins National Award for Safe Medication Practices

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has won top national honors from the independent institute for Safe Medication Practices for its excellence in preventing medication errors. Called the “Cheers Award,” it honors individuals, organizations, companies and government agencies that set a high standard for keeping patients safe and improving the process of using medication. For complete story, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1841

VA Reaching Out to Students and Schools to Speed Benefit Payments

In a coordinated effort to speed up the processing of 9/11 GI Bill education benefits this spring, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has been reaching out to student Veterans, service members, university officials and other partners to meet its commitment to an aggressive processing goal by February 1, 2010. For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1842

VA Doctor Touts Significance of PTSD Diagnosis Research

A group of Minnesota scientists say they have found a high-tech way of detecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new diagnostic method involves the use of a $2 million device called MEG (magnetoencephalography). “This discovery could have huge implications for the way PTSD is diagnosed and treated in the future,” says Dr. Apostolos Georgopoulos, who led the research as director of the Brain Sciences Center at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. For further information about this research, visit http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/82127982.html

FedsHireVets.gov Launches

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is launching FedsHireVets.gov, a critical component of President Obama’s Veterans Employment Initiative. This website will become the main source for Veterans employment information and resources for both Veterans and Hiring Officials. The launch represents phase one of an ongoing effort to help the men and women who have served our country in the military and their families find employment in Federal Civil Service. For more information http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

Inclement Weather and Closings Posted on the Internet

Information regarding facility closings and the impact weather has on operations are now posted on local VA Medical Center Internet pages. Veterans, stakeholders, and employees can access the emergency information by going to local VAMC websites or you can access these sites from the Network’s homepage at www.visn23.va.gov.

VA Health Resource Center Update

We have been notified by the US Treasury that potential offset letters from Treasury Offset Program (TOP) were sent to Veterans that had a zero balance at the top of the letter. The US Treasury released the letters in error. If the debtor received a TOP potential offset letter regarding Federal Salary Payments dated 1/22/10 and the debt noted has a zero balance, US Treasury is advising Veterans to disregard the letter. Please keep in mind that not all offset letters dated 1/22/10 are in error. VA is working with the US Treasury to get additional information regarding the volume of letters released in error.

Serving Those Returning from Combat

The Network takes a proactive approach on outreaching to returning service members. As of December 31, 2009, the Network enrolled a total of 35,822 returning service members. Of those, 21,724 received outpatient services, 848 were treated as inpatients, and 13,250 chose to enroll only. If you would like to discuss ideas on how we can better serve those returning from combat, please contact the OEF/OIF Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center. The following tables show the number of Combat Veterans enrolled in this Network and where they are receiving care.

Combat Veterans Care in VISN 23 Cumulative through December 31, 2009					Combat Vets Enrolled in VISN 23 Cumulative through December 31, 2009
Location	Outpt Care	Inpt Care	Enroll Only	TOTAL	Location	National Guard	Reserve	Active Duty	TOTAL
Black Hills	1945	244	115	2304	Black Hills	1004	42	1258	2304
Central IA	1779	26	1144	2949	Central IA	1751	282	916	2949
Fargo	1526	23	1738	3287	Fargo	2248	168	871	3287
Iowa City	2699	50	869	3618	Iowa City	2553	569	496	3618
Mnpls	4139	232	6973	11344	Mnpls	5349	3743	2252	11344
NE/WIA	3232	49	2105	5386	NE/WIA	2734	1130	1522	5386
St. Cloud	3445	112	33	3590	St. Cloud	1977	296	1317	3590
Sioux Falls	2959	112	273	3344	Sioux Falls	1011	187	2146	3344
TOTAL	21724	848	13250	35822	TOTAL	18627	6417	10778	35822

Staying Active in the Winter Months

In the winter, weather in the Midwest is cold and our thoughts turn to warm, cozy fireplaces. Most of us tend to "slow down" during winter, with its shorter days and longer nights. However, physical activity over the winter is just as important as during better weather months. Exercising regularly has proven benefits. These include lower blood pressure and blood glucose, improved sleep and mood, and less fatigue, joint pain and constipation. So keep moving during the winter. It does not matter what physical activity you select but start moving. Please check with your health care provider before beginning any exercise program if you are not a regular exerciser, over the age of 50, significantly over weight, or have a chronic health condition. For tips on how you can stay active during the winter log on to My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov

Champions in the Heartland

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System proudly announces the 24th National Veterans Golden Age Games to be held in Des Moines, Iowa on May 25 to June 1, 2010. Sponsoring the event is the Des Moines VA Medical Center along with Help Hospitalized Veterans and the Veterans Canteen Service. The entire Des Moines community and the VA Central Iowa Health Care System are excited to invite you to "let the games begin." For more information on the events, activities and registration, log on at

http://www.centraliowa.va.gov/GoldenAge/National_Veterans_Golden_Age_Games.asp

For more information, contact the Network Office at (612) 725-1968
or Sharyl.Schaepe@va.gov

Also visit us as www.visn23.va.gov

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