From 2010 to 2016, the number of veterans living on the streets dropped by half and the ending veteran homelessness within a decade appeared feasible.
How Mandatory HCP Vaccines Affect Infections
The VA led the way among federal agencies in requiring front-line health workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It later expanded the requirement to most VHA employees, volunteers and contractors who work in those facilities or come in contact with veteran patients and healthcare workers as part of their duties.
COVID-19 Shots Protected VA Cirrhosis Patients
Administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to veterans with cirrhosis resulted in a delayed and modest reduction in infection rates. Excellent protection against related hospitalization or death was achieved, however, according to a new study.
No Link Between AMI, Two-Dose HBV Vaccine
The overall prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in the United States is estimated to be around 1.59 million That’s one of the reasons the DoD, which has required hepatitis B vaccination for new recruits for nearly 20 years, added the mandate for existing servicemembers to receive the vaccine in 2014.
AMA, Other Physician Groups Strongly Oppose New VA Standards of Practice
Partly spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA late last year released an interim final rule clarifying that VA nurses and other healthcare professionals can deliver services in a state other than their state of licensure, registration or certification.
Unexpected Benefit for Minority Veterans: Easier Access to COVID Testing
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the impact of disparities in access to healthcare and ongoing differences in the seriousness accorded to minority patients’ health concerns. It also revealed significant benefits of receiving care through the VA.
VA Will Use Rescue Funds to Digitize Records Used for Veteran Claims
The VA will use millions of dollars from its American Rescue Plan grants to expand the scope of the digitization of federal records. One key goal is to reduce a backlog of record requests created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Veterans Receiving Total Knee Replacements at VA Facilities
Thanks to the MISSION Act, VA is increasing purchasing healthcare for veterans in the communities where they live.
Some Patients Who Would Benefit Most From Telemedicine Can’t Access It
Telemedicine offers convenient healthcare for many, but those who could stand to benefit most could be the least able to access it, according to a new analysis.
Deprescribing BP Medications in Older, Frail Patients Can Be Right Thing to Do
Growing evidence from observational studies signals that prescribing multiple antihypertensive prescriptions might do more harm than good in older patients with polypharmacy and comorbid conditions.
PTSD Medications Change Over Time in VHA
What medications tend to be prescribed for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and how has that changed over time?
Somatic Symptom Disorder Ups PTSD Risk
In somatic symptom disorder, patients develop too much focus on physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, which causes them significant distress and often creates problems for normal function, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
LAIs Improve VHA Schizophrenia Medication Adherence
Ensuring high rates of medication adherence is one of the greatest challenges in treating schizophrenia patients at the VA and elsewhere.
COVID-19 Pandemic Provides Lessons on Protecting VA LTC Facilities
The VA can learn important lessons from how it handled infection control in its senior centers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
Why Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Vietnam Veterans Suffer More From PTSD
Lesbian, gay and bisexual veterans who served in the Vietnam era reported more post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues than their heterosexual counterparts, and a new analysis of data from a nationwide study survey questioned whether that was related to past trauma related to sexual identity.
Insomnia Has Affected Nearly 1 in 5 Veterans During the Pandemic
Sleep is essential to mental and physical well-being, and not getting enough sleep can lead to stress or difficulties concentrating, solving problems—even fighting off infection. At the same time, stress and anxiety can also lead to disrupted sleep.
National Guard Responds to Hurricane Ida Catastrophe
As of the end of August, the National Guard had activated more than 5,200 personnel in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama in response to Hurricane Ida, according to Army Maj. Gen. William D. “Hank” Taylor, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations.
Benefit Found for Testing Veterans With Hepatitis B for Liver Cancer
The most common risk factors worldwide for liver cancer are chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, according to the American Cancer Society.