<--GAT-->
Current Issue
2019 Compendium of
Federal Medicine 2019 USM Directory
Department of Defense (DoD) Department of Justice Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HHS and USPHS
Addiction Allergies Alzheimer's/Dementia Anesthesiology Asthma Battlefield Medicine Breast Cancer Cancer Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease COPD Crohn's Disease Depression Dermatology Diabetes Endocrinology Gastroenterology Genomics Geriatrics Gout Hepatitis HIV Infectious Disease Influenza Kidney Disease Mental Health MRSA Multiple Sclerosis Nephrology Neurology Oncology
Electronic Health Records Emergency Preparedness Legislation Medical Equipment News Pay and Recruitment Personnel Pharmacy Policy Tricare

Virtual Reality Tested for Phantom Limb Pain in Veteran Amputees

SAN DIEGO—Virtual reality appears to be a feasible way to treat phantom limb pain at the VA, according to a small new study. The report in Pain Medicine sought To describe the development of a... View Article

From the Editor in Chief


Chester Buckenmaier III, MD COL (ret), MC, USA

“When discussing collaboration, people often talk about ‘breaking down silos.’ ... ” —William D. Ramsey, MD

“God help us, if, the first time something fails—and something will fail—we crush whoever it was … whoever’s responsible,” —Gen. John “Mike” Murray

VA Researcher Helps Develop Promising New Pain Drug

NEW ORLEANS—A new drug with less risk for addiction and overdose compared to currently available opioid medications is showing promise, according to a recently published research article. The drug, developed at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health... View Article

Racial Disparities Found in BRCA Testing, Counseling

DURHAM, NC—Despite increases in BRCA mutation testing, racial/ethnic disparities in counseling and testing have persisted for decades, a study argued. The review published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities said its purpose... View Article

VA Guideline Addresses Dental Management of Head/Neck Cancer Patients

SAN FRANCISCO—Few protocols have been published for the dental management of patients with head and neck cancer to prevent complications from head and neck radiation therapy, according to a new study.  The report in the... View Article

Archives

Featured Articles

Administrative Confusions Results in Little Oversight of VA’s Police Force

July 16, 2019

All VA Healthcare Facilities to Be Completely Smoke-Free by October

July 12, 2019

Cardiovascular Health Worse for Active-Duty Soldiers Than Same-Age Civilians

June 11, 2019

A Fourth of Female Veterans Report Stranger Harassment at VAMCs

June 11, 2019

Technology Experts Question MISSION Act Electronic Systems

May 17, 2019

Departments

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VA Manages Drug Costs Better than Medicare Part D

ST. LOUIS – Medicare Part D could save more than $14 billion annually if it paid the same prices for top medications as the VA, according to a new study. A research letter published earlier... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

House Passes Bill to Create Education/Employment Arm of VA

WASHINGTON,—Legislators have reintroduced plans to create a fourth administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs—one dedicated to overseeing veterans’ education, transition and employment benefits. Currently these operations fall under the Veterans Benefits Administration, with VBA... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Administrative Confusions Results in Little Oversight of VA’s Police Force

Suicides, Violence at VMACs Put Spotlight on Security WASHINGTON—As the number of suicides and other violent incidents at VA facilities grows, a spotlight is being thrown on VA’s internal police force and its ability to... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Veterans Using Dual Health Systems Have More Problems With Medications

CHARLESTON, SC—More than half of the patients treated by VA are also Medicare eligible, and that is increasing the risk for a range of prescription medication problems—from chronic disease medication nonadherence to opioid overdoses—among dual... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

All VA Healthcare Facilities to Be Completely Smoke-Free by October

New Directive Abolishes Designated Smoking Zones WASHINGTON—Starting in October, all VA healthcare facilities will be official no-smoking zones. While VA now permits smoking in designated areas, the department has issued a new policy restricting smoking... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VA Isn’t Addressing Recommendations by Oversight Agencies

Too Many Leadership Vacancies Are Part of the Problem WASHINGTON—Deeply ingrained management problems are preventing VA from addressing priority recommendations from oversight agencies, leaving the department with long-standing weaknesses in its healthcare and disability benefits... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VA MRSA Prevention Program Successfully Reduced Cases 43%

CDC, VA Authors Reject Calls to Lessen Interventions SALT LAKE CITY—Concerned about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections, the VA piloted a MRSA prevention program in 18 VAMCs beginning... View Article

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VA Study Raises Questions About Value of Readmission Metrics

SAN FRANCISCO—While the VA performs well overall on key 30-day readmission rates, a study by researchers at the San Francisco VAMC questioned the utility of the measures for most of the health system’s hospitals. The... View Article

Clinical Topics

Oncology

Racial Disparities Found in BRCA Testing, Counseling

DURHAM, NC—Despite increases in BRCA mutation testing, racial/ethnic disparities in counseling and testing have persisted for decades, a study argued. The review published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities said its purpose... View Article

Oncology

VA Guideline Addresses Dental Management of Head/Neck Cancer Patients

SAN FRANCISCO—Few protocols have been published for the dental management of patients with head and neck cancer to prevent complications from head and neck radiation therapy, according to a new study.  The report in the... View Article

Oncology

Patients Treated with Thiopurines Have Higher Skin Cancer Mortality

PHILADELPHIA—Treatment with thiopurines is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. An article in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology discussed results of a study that... View Article

HIV

Low to No Alcohol Use Optimizes Health Outcomes in HIV Patients

SEATTLE—For years, physicians have encouraged patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus to minimize or avoid drinking alcohol. But how much does it really matter? “Controlled alcohol use over time, especially nonuse or very low-level use,... View Article

HIV

Army Researchers Identify a CV Bonus from Early ART Initiation in HIV

SAN ANTONIO, TX—ART has never looked better, at least if you’re an individual recently diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus.  Researchers at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio recently determined that antiretroviral therapy reverses... View Article

Mental Health

Bergendahl Uses Video Gaming to Help Fellow Veterans Recover

Mat Bergendahl, MS, LPC, was with the Air Force Security Forces when the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. Like many servicemembers, he managed to bring along some personal effects. And, like many people his... View Article

Diabetes

Metformin Halves All-Cause Mortality in Frail Older Veterans

Other Important VA Studies at the American Diabetes Association 79th Scientific Sessions MIAMI—The first-line drug of choice for Type 2 diabetes, metformin has long been known to effectively reduce blood glucose levels and substantially cut... View Article

Cardiovascular Disease

Million Veteran Program Study Raises Questions about Omega-3 Benefits in CAD

BOSTON—Researchers at the Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology and Research Information Center demonstrated the value of the VA’s ability to harness the health data of thousands or even millions of individuals in a study that calls into... View Article

Non-Clinical Topics

Pharmacy

Oral Cancer Therapies Create Critical Demand for Pharmacists

CHICAGO—The pace of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of oral anticancer medications has rapidly increased, from less than one a year at the turn of the century to 10 in 2018. While patients generally... View Article

Electronic Health Records

Technology Experts Question MISSION Act Electronic Systems

WASHINGTON—VA is working under a tight deadline to implement the community care provisions of the MISSION Act, the new law that goes into effect this summer and revises and codifies access standards for veterans receiving... View Article

Pharmacy

DCVAMC Acting Pharmacy Chief Ivan Cephas: ‘Caring Is the Reason’

WASHINGTON—Ivan Cephas, PharmD, the acting chief of pharmacy at the DCVAMC, would be the first to say that what he does is not above and beyond the call of duty. Despite having been awarded the... View Article

Legislation

VA Reverses Stance, Won’t Challenge ‘Blue Water’ Veteran Court Ruling

WASHINGTON—In an about-face, the VA will recommend that the federal government not challenge a recent court decision ruling that the department cannot deny benefits to Vietnam-era Blue Water Navy veterans claiming Agent Orange exposure. The... View Article

Legislation

Executive Order Creates Task Force to Combat Veteran Suicide

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at lowering the rate of veteran suicides. The order—the President’s Roadmap To Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide—creates a Cabinet-level task force led... View Article

Legislation

Legislators Express Outrage Over Military Sexual Trauma Issues Subhead: Senator Describes Her Experience as Air Force Rape Victim

WASHINGTON—A recent survey of the military service academies found that sexual assault has spiked over the last two years, up 50% since 2016. This news sparked fresh outrage from legislators, resulting in a hearing focusing... View Article

Electronic Health Records

Lack of DoD/VA Decision-Maker Could Hamper EHR Implementation

WASHINGTON—Plans are moving ahead for VA’s 10-year, $16 billion effort to modernize its electronic health record system, but legislators still have questions about the project’s timeline and funding, as well as concerns about the project’s... View Article

News

Legislators Question Whether VA Can Efficiently Implement Mission Act

Six months after President Donald Trump signed the VA MISSION Act–a bill that will, among other things, streamline and expand veterans’ access to non-VA healthcare providers–many legislators are concerned whether VA has the ability to implement the extensive provisions in the bill without the painful speed bumps experienced with past legislation.

Subscribe to U.S. Medicine Print Magazine

U.S. Medicine is mailed free each month to physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and administrators working for Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and U.S. Public Health Service.

Subscribe Now

Receive Our Email Newsletter

Stay informed about federal medical news, clinical updates and reports on government topics for the federal healthcare professional.

Sign Up
USM

© 2000-2018. All Materials Copyright Marathon Medical Communications, Inc.