Last year proved to be a year of continued growth and achievement for hospitals in the VA MidSouth Healthcare Network (VISN 9). Read on to learn about how our VA Medical Centers continued to meet the needs of Veterans—and what some of our facilities have in store for 2009.

Lexington VAMC strives for easier access for Veterans

In 2008, Lexington VA Medical Center (VAMC) made strides in patient access. “In the past six months, we’ve initiated changes that have reduced the numbers of veterans on waiting lists for appointments longer than 30 days,” says Sandy J. Nielsen, Lexington VAMC director. “We’ve completely eliminated waiting lists for appointments to key clinics, including eye care, dermatology and podiatry. And we continue to work on improving access to specialty clinics such as neurosurgery and rheumatology.”

Closely monitoring scheduling and appointments by staff on the front lines ensures that Veterans are seen in a timely manner and at their convenience. “One of our priorities for 2009 is continued improvement of patient satisfaction,” Nielsen reports. “Our goal is to continue to develop a truly patient-centered culture: to anticipate and exceed our patients’ and families’ needs.” Lexington VAMC will pilot new approaches to gathering patient and family feedback and use that feedback to improve policies and processes that will better serve patients.

According to Nielsen, “We’ll also focus on our staff in a similar manner to make sure we can recruit and retain a high-quality staff.”

Louisville VAMC recognized in 2008

Louisville VA Medical Center (VAMC) is proud to receive the prestigious 2008 Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award. This marks the second consecutive year the medical center has been recognized with a Carey Award.

The Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award is an annual award sponsored by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that recognizes organizations within VA that have implemented management approaches resulting in sustained high levels of performance and service. It provides a model by which organizations can assess quality transformation efforts, organizational effectiveness and performance in delivering service.

Louisville VAMC is in the design phase of renovation to its surgical intensive care unit and inpatient mental health unit. Because a facility’s physical environment is as vital to the healing process as excellent health care, facility designs include efficient layouts that support patient dignity and enhanced workspaces for physicians, nurses and support staff. Renovations are expected to be completed later this year.

Huntington VAMC serves as a referral center for bariatric surgery

As an enhancement to the managing obesity in Veterans everywhere (MOVE!) Weight management program, in 2008 Huntington VA Medical Center’s (VAMC’s) surgical weight-loss program expanded to include overweight and obese veterans who receive their care at other VA facilities in West Virginia and nearby states.

“We have an epidemic of obesity in this country,” says Timothy Canterbury, M.D.., Chief of Surgery Services at Huntington VAMC. “Our goal is to improve the care of obese veterans across the board through several levels of treatment. Bariatric surgery is the last level.”

David Denning, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and a consultant to VA, performs the medical center’s gastric bypass surgeries. “Last year, we began increasing the number of bariatric procedures we do here and offered state-of-the-art laparoscopic adjustable band surgery,” Dr. Canterbury says. “The Lap-Band surgery places a band around the top of the stomach that can be adjusted to limit how much can be eaten.” The procedure is easier to reverse, if necessary. Blaine Nease, M.D., with Marshall University’s Department of Surgery, performs Lap-Band surgery at Huntington VAMC.

All patients must complete the MOVE! program to be considered for the bariatric surgery program. For more information, contact Eva Maynard, R.N., at (304) 429-6741, ext. 2105.

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System increases staff

2008 was an exciting and rewarding year for VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare system (TVHS). TVHS increased its staff members and employees to an unprecedented strength, allowing them to raise the bar in the care they provide to Veterans. This year, TVHS will expand its reach with six new community-based outpatient clinics in Warren County, Christian County, Ky., Roane County, McMinn County, Giles County and Maury County.

The addition of a partnership clinic with Meharry Medical College’s Metro General Hospital in Nashville and a Women Veteran’s Clinic will address specific medical needs of our female veterans. The clinic, set to open in the Spring, will be staffed by female health care providers and provide a variety of health care services needed by our women Veterans at one convenient location.