WASHINGTON—A new executive order is aimed at increasing the manufacturing efficiency and effectiveness of flu vaccines. The DoD and Department of Health and Human Services are co-chairing a task force in the process of implementing the order signed in September by...
New Comprehensive VA/DoD Guideline Seeks to Stem Tide of Suicides
Servicemembers, Veterans Take Their Own Lives at Higher Rates
WASHINGTON—In recent decades, suicide rates have soared in the United States, increasing 25% from 1999 to 2016.
The issue has been especially acute among military servicemembers and veterans.
What Will Be Cost of VA’s Legacy EHR System During Changeover?
WASHINGTON — As VA moves forward with the comprehensive overhaul of its electronic health records system, the department will still need to keep its legacy EHR system functioning well into the next decade. A recent Government Accountability Office report suggests, however, that the costs to do that—already totaling in the billions—may have been underestimated.
DoD acknowledges its medical adverse event reporting is ‘unreliable’
The process for tracking the DoD’s most serious adverse medical events is “fragmented, impeding the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) ability to ensure that it has received complete information,” according to a new review.
Automation Speeds Results and Increases Accuracy for Point-of-Care Testing at Walter Reed NMMC
With a long history of point of care testing at both of its predecessor organizations, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) laboratory services staff were keenly aware of the advantages of using portable testing devices to obtain rapid patient assessments.
High Rate of Pectoralis Tears Among Deployed Servicemembers Lifting Weights
Lifting weights is one way servicemembers keep in peak physical condition during deployment.
DoD Study Finds That Type 2 Diabetes Increases Breast Cancer Mortality
Having Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) increases mortality risk in breast cancer patients, regardless of whether diabetes was diagnosed before or after breast cancer, according to a recent study.
Now Hear This: Otolaryngologist Leads Effort to Prevent Auditory Issues
Among those who are exposed to combat, it’s the weapons fire that does it. In the Navy, it’s the noise levels in engine rooms and on the decks of carriers.
GAO: ‘Gaps’ in MHS Physician Specialties Could Affect Wartime Readiness
WASHINGTON — The military services need to develop “targeted and coordinated strategies” to alleviate military physician gaps, a recent report recommended.
VA Vows to Meet Deadline for Revamp of Veteran Claims Appeal Process
WASHINGTON—VA has told legislators that the agency is on track with a new law that will give veterans more options to have their claims appeals reviewed.
DoD, VA Still Struggle with Diagnosing, Treating Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
Diagnosing and treating mild traumatic brain injury continues to pose challenges for clinicians, TBI experts told lawmakers.
VA Promises to Resolve Late Payment Issues with Community Healthcare Providers
Slow Reimbursement Frustrated Clinicians, Hurt Veterans’ Credit By Sandra Basu WASHINGTON—Citing the importance of providing payments in a “timely and consistent manner,” the VA announced that it has revised its regulations for payment and reimbursement of non-VA...
Change in VA/DoD Guidelines for Low Back Pain Surprising Even for Authors
If VA clinicians are surprised by the significant changes in the updated recommendations recently issued by the VA and DoD for the diagnosis and management of low back pain, they are not alone. The evidence review even shocked many members of the work group that wrote the new clinical practice guidelines.
‘Hacking’ to Improve Care for Wounded Warriors
Hacking isn’t always a bad thing, especially if the result is devices that can help protect servicemembers from injuries.
Trials Provide Promising Results for Army-Developed Zika Vaccine
A vaccine developed by Army researchers to combat Zika virus not only induced a robust immune response in trials but also was found to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults.
Army Pharmacy Finds Shorter Hours Reduces Wait Times
The pharmacy team at McDonald Army Health Center (MCAHC) on Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia had a common problem—longer than desired wait times for patients to pick up prescriptions.
Device Developers ‘Kicked a Hornet’s Nest’ in Hemorrhage and Shock Treatment
For Air Force Col. Todd Rasmussen, MD, and Jonathan Eliason, MD, the idea for a new way to treat internal hemorrhaging on the battlefield was hard-won.
DoD Policies Ensure Sufficient Yellow Fever Vaccine Despite Global Shortage
In mid-2016, Sanofi Pasteur announced that manufacturing issues could produce a YF-VAX shortage that might last for several months.
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