As chemical agent exposure remains a threat to military servicemembers, it’s important to consider that each chemical agent affects the eye differently and requires appropriate treatment, according to a recent review article.
News
Veterans Treated in VAMCs for Some Common Conditions Had Better Outcomes
Outcomes were better for some common conditions among veterans treated in VA hospitals compared to community care, but the tradeoff often was higher resource use.
Current Issue
VA Healthcare, Fourth Mission Face Stresses From Continued Climate Change
With a worsening climate crisis, VA expects to be called upon more and more to implement its fourth mission—to act as a backstop for the nation’s overall healthcare network during times of emergency.
Telehealth Offers Promising Alternative to Traditional Sleep Medicine Care
Insufficient and disturbed sleep, as well as clinical sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, shift work disorder and nightmare disorder, are highly prevalent in the U.S. military and can result in increased accident risk and diminished military readiness.
Oncology
NSCLC Survival Rates Higher with Distant Recurrence vs. De Novo Metastasis
PALO ALTO, CA – Even with new and improved therapies, clinicians remain challenged by how to deal with advanced lung cancer. “The survival profile...
Biomarkers Predict Survival, Risk of Adverse Effects in Metastatic NSCLC
ANN ARBOR, MI – Lung cancer outcomes have been significantly improved with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), although some patients...
No Racial Differences in DLBCL Treatment Within VA Healthcare System
No statistically significant racial differences in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) outcomes were found for patients treated within the VHA, according to recent research.
Editor-In-Chief, Chester “Trip” Buckenmaier III, MD, COL (ret.), MC, USA
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
New Year’s Eve 2023 was marked with sadness for my family as my mother-in-law, Susan “Sue” Timperley, passed. Leave it to Sue to pass with fireworks and parties in full swing. She was a vital force within our family, a calming influence on the males of our clan, an example for all and a tireless advocate for her grandchildren. Although she was just a slip of a woman, 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet, woe to anyone who would mistakenly assume her petite physical appearance belied weakness of character.
VA Study: Microbial Contamination Continues in Hospitals, Even When Recommended Cleaning Protocols Are Followed
Microbial contamination—including pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria—persisted on high-touch hospital surfaces despite compliance with recommended disinfection protocols, according to a study performed at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System.
Psychological Distress Complicates Remote mTBI
Recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress, which are prevalent in military servicemembers, is complicated because the conditions share objective and subjective cognitive symptoms.
Women Veterans With Epilepsy Have More Psychiatric Diagnoses
Women Veterans with epilepsy (WVE) might have unique psychiatric comorbidities that affect presentation, treatment and outcomes.
How Veterans With TBI, GWI Present With Frontotemporal Disorders
Frontotemporal lobe disorders (FTD), which affect personality, behavior and language, are among the most common brain neurodegenerative disorders.
Cannabis-Use Disorder Riskier in Veterans With Mental Health Conditions
Veterans with psychiatric disorders, especially those with serious mental health issues, are especially vulnerable to cannabis-use disorder, according to a new study warning of an increase in the condition.
Study Spotlights Barriers to Best Lung Cancer Care Within VHA
While it is well known that veteran populations have higher lung cancer incidence and worse overall survival compared with non-veteran populations, it is not clear how VA lung cancer patients perceive their care.
Patient Selection for Lung Cancer Screening Is Less Than Optimal
Clinician judgment, not patient characteristics, often is the deciding factor in which VA patients are screened for lung cancer, according to a new study.
Military Healthcare Beneficiaries Have Better NSCLS Survival.
Does the universal healthcare provided by the U.S. military health system (MHS) mean better lung cancer survival for patients? A new study suggested that is the case.
Even Mild COVID-19 Infections Caused Impaired Fitness in Military Personnel
Healthy, young members of the military who have had COVID-19 may experience impairments in fitness up to a year after their acute illness has resolved
Deployment Status Plays a Role in Epilepsy Development After TBI
Deployment history appears to play a role in the association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy in recent veterans—but not always in an obvious way.
White Patients Much More Likely to Receive Knee Arthroplasty In MHS
The U.S. Military Health System is touted as an equal-access medical provider, and scores of studies have demonstrated that few racial inequities exist in the treatment it provides for many conditions.
Critics Strongly Condemn New VA/DoD Guideline on PTSD Treatment
The new VA/DoD posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clinical practice guideline, published late last year, has drawn strong criticism from some experts in the field.
Despite Little Down Time, New Oracle-Cerner EHR Not Popular With Staff
According to VA, at least one aspect of its new Oracle-Cerner electronic health record (EHR) system is showing demonstrable improvement–a reduction in the number of times the system as a whole has been offline and inaccessible.
Concurrent Steroids Do Not Reduce Cancer Drugs’ Effectiveness
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have played a crucial role in the field of immuno-oncology over the past decade, substantially improving the prognosis of different cancers.
Nearly 20% of Veterans Showed Decline During Pandemic
While most U.S. veterans maintained or improved physical and mental function a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 20% showed a decline, according to a new study.
Higher Dose Flu Vaccines Don’t Reduce Cardiopulmonary Events
Higher dose influenza vaccines don’t appear to reduce risk of cardiopulmonary events during periods of increased, local flu activity, according to a recent study.
Immune Suppressive Drugs Increase Risk for Severe COVID-19
The risk of severe COVID-19 despite vaccination is substantial in patients taking immune-suppressive drugs, and their risk is much greater than patients with inflammatory diseases.
Prostate Cancer Outcomes Not Affected by FSH Levels
The standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PC) is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), usually delivered via a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.
Toxicities From PARP Inhibitors for Prostate Cancer
Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are an important class of therapeutics for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC),
Black Veterans 50% Likelier to Get Prostate Cancer Diagnosis on First Biopsy
Black men are more likely than non-Hispanic white men to develop and die from prostate cancer, yet not much data exists that is specific to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening protocols by race.
New Bill to Raise VA Physician Salary Cap Goes to Full Senate
The Senate VA Committee has advanced sweeping bipartisan legislation that would allow VA to raise the salary cap for physicians to above $400,000.
GOP Bill Calls for End of VA’s EHR Modernization Program; Democrats Vehemently Disagree, Calling Effort ‘Unsound’
A group of Republican lawmakers has introduced legislation that would end VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. The bill is a response to the frequently delayed and problem-ridden rollout of the department’s new EHR, which the bill’s authors say is fundamentally broken and doing more harm than good to veterans.
Factors Making PTSD More Likely After TBI
Why do some military servicemembers with traumatic brain injury (TBI) develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, while others do not?
With More Than 250,000 Alzheimer’s Patients, VA Is a Market for New Drug
Now that the Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track approval for the new Alzheimer’s disease medication Leqembi, the issue of who will pay for it looms large.
Group Focuses on Telehealth Fraud at VA, DoD, Other Federal Agencies
While the pandemic has resulted in an explosion in the use of telehealth among federal health agencies, it also has created opportunities for fraud and waste, according to a recent joint report from six Offices of the Inspector General (OIGs).
Hurricanes, Sea Level Rise Endanger Hospitals on Atlantic, Gulf Coasts
In late September, Hurricane Ian, a deadly Category 4 storm, caused widespread damage, flooding, loss of power and evacuations from hospitals and nursing homes across Cuba and the U.S. Southeast, especially Florida and South Carolina.
VA Receives First Doses of Vaccine to Help Combat Monkeypox Outbreak
When the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency on July 23, there were more than 4,000 reported cases in the United States. By mid-September, the number of reported U.S. cases had surpassed 24,000.
GAO: Claims Processor Misunderstanding Often Denied Agent Orange Benefits to Which Vietnam Vets Were Entitled
VA claims processors have consistently failed to understand the department’s own regulations when it comes to Vietnam veterans presenting with certain Agent Orange-related conditions, prematurely denying benefits for thousands, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
VA Partners With American Kidney Fund, Business to Tackle CKD
Several new partnerships are positioning the VA to offer more extensive services, educational material and testing for the one in six veterans estimated to have chronic kidney disease.
VA OIG: Lack of Oversight Found in DO’s Sexual Abuse at Beckley VAMC
This is just the latest finding by the OIG that places blame for a recent criminal case on lack of VA oversight.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
New Year’s Eve 2023 was marked with sadness for my family as my mother-in-law, Susan “Sue” Timperley, passed. Leave it to Sue to pass with fireworks and parties in full swing. She was a vital force within our family, a calming influence on the males of our clan, an example for all and a tireless advocate for her grandchildren. Although she was just a slip of a woman, 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet, woe to anyone who would mistakenly assume her petite physical appearance belied weakness of character.
Healthcare Facilities Must Be Prepared to Handle Simultaneous Stressors
Healthcare systems are often required to navigate external stressors, such as policy changes, natural disasters and emerging infectious diseases, which can disrupt patient care.
Reduction in Mandated Military HIV Checkups Did Little Harm
Nearly a decade ago, in 2014, the U.S Air Force reduced the frequency of mandated HIV medical evaluation visits from every 6 months to every 12 months. The goal was to improve military readiness.
HIV Often Comorbid With Substance-Use Disorder Within VHA
HIV prevalence, which was elevated in all substance-use disorder patients at the VHA, was highest among veterans with alcohol- and opioid-use disorders (AUD/OUD), with disparities by race/ethnicity and age, according to a new study.
Gulf War Illness Reduces White Blood Cells’ Ability to Make Energy
The ability of white blood cells to make energy is significantly reduced in Gulf War Illness (GWI), which affects approximately 250,000 U.S. veterans, according to a new study finding a measurable biochemical difference in veterans who have the disease.
CRC Screening Levels Too Low for Veterans With Anemia, Hematochezia
Already the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in adults younger than 50. Early-age onset CRC (EAOCRC) is often diagnosed at later stages, which require more intense treatment, according to a new study.
VA Celebrates 20 Years of Telehealth With Continued Expansion of Services
The VA launched its national telehealth services program in 2003. Twenty years later, it continues to look for new ways to break down barriers to care and expand services available to veterans from the comfort of their homes by tapping into services offered by industry leaders as well as developing internal capabilities.
Veterans’ Disinhibited Behaviors Linked to Range of Physical, Mental Conditions
Behavioral disinhibition is an externalizing (EXT) disorder common with many psychiatric conditions. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have demonstrated the overlap between EXT disorders and important aspects of veterans’ health, such as suicide-related behaviors and substance-use disorders (SUDs).
Unstable Housing Increases Veterans’ Mortality Risk With Kidney Dialysis
Unstable housing appears to contribute to socioeconomic disparities in mortality among U.S. veterans receiving dialysis, with older adults being especially vulnerable, according to a new study
Despite Expanded Efforts by VA, Veteran Suicides Rose Slightly in Recent Report
A new VA report revealed that 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021, the most-recent year for which data was available. That was 114 more than in 2020.
Cardiac Mortality for Women Veterans Has Not Improved Over Two Decades,
Women veterans have shown a lack of improvement in cardiac mortality compared to civilian women over nearly two decades, suggesting a need for clinical interventions to improve cardiovascular care, according to a recent study.
Million Veteran Program Study Pinpoints Concerns About Cannabis-Use Disorder
A study using data from the VA’s Million Veteran Program raised serious concerns about risks associated with cannabis use.
Signage, Targeted Education Can Improve Acute Appendicitis Care
Targeted in-person education and visible signs in the emergency department can increase adherence to institutional protocols designed to improve compliance with best practices for treating uncomplicated acute appendicitis, according to a recent study.
New Strategic Lab Director Fosters Disruptive Technologies, Seeks Growth
As the executive director of VA’s brand-new Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab), it is the mission of Anne Lord Bailey, PharmD, BCPS, to encourage VA to play the long shots.
VHA Venous Thromboembolism Rates Low After Cancer Surgery
The rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis are low after major cancer surgery among veterans treated at the VHA, according to a recent study
COVID-19 Mortality Looks Somewhat Different Based on New VA Study
A study team involving VA researchers looked at death rates during the COVID-19 pandemic through a different lens and came up with intriguing information from individual-level instead of aggregate data.
Thrombosis Risk With Cancer Treatment Varies With VA Patient Characteristics
Has cancer-directed therapy changed patterns of the incidence and risk of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) at the VA?
Veterans Receiving Community Care for Prostate Cancer Might Be Overtreated
Has greater use of community care for veterans with prostate cancer meant more overtreatment?
Military/VA Study Finds That Smallpox Vaccination Is Effective Against MPox
The smallpox vaccine appeared to be effective in preventing mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in U.S. military personnel and veterans, even if received more than a decade previously, according to a new report.
Problems Persist for Servicemembers Transitioning to VA Services
When the required transition classes prior to discharge from the military are delayed, servicemembers might not be aware enough about VA healthcare and benefits. That can affect their ability to undertake a smooth transition to civilian life.
Prostate Cancer Outcomes Better for Black, Hispanic Veterans with VHA Care
While a new study found that differences in outcomes from nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) exist based on race and ethnicity, Black and Hispanic men might have considerably improved survival rates when treated in an equal-access setting.
High Serum TARC Levels Predict Hodgkin Lymphoma Years Before Diagnosis
Could high levels of the chemokine TARC produced in tumor cells in classic Hodgkin lymphoma help predict the malignancy?
Initiative Utilizing the VIONE Dashboard Reduces Polypharmacy in Veterans
Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple and often unnecessary medications, poses significant health risks to patients, including frailty, hospital admissions, falls and even mortality.
New VA Podcast Explores Use of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for PTSD
Marine and Army veteran Jonathan Leubecky suffered from PTSD and several suicide attempts following deployment to Iraq. His first attempt to take his life was only two months after his return home in 2006.
Gut Microbiome May Hold Potential Early Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population age 65 and older and an estimated 110, 000 U.S. veterans.
What Happens to Veterans Discontinuing Depression Treatment?
Nearly half of veterans who discontinue treatment for depression end up going back within six months, with reengagement rates higher in those receiving both psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.
Bipolar Veterans Sometimes Struggle to Get Pain Treatment at VA
Bipolar veterans with chronic pain sometimes have problems receiving evidence-based treatment in the VA healthcare system, according to a new study.
No Benefit From Hospital Stay for Some Suicidal Veterans
Hospitalization for patients seeking emergency care immediately after a suicide attempt appeared beneficial, but that was not the case with those who had suicide ideation or whose attempt occurred more than a day before, according to a new study.
Not Just a Bulging Belly: DRA Causes Problems for Military Women
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common condition in pregnant and postpartum women, occurring when the rectus abdominis muscles, commonly called the six-pack ab muscles, separate from being stretched.
Cardioprotective Drugs Not Also Used in Patients Needing Them Most
Even though the overall uptake of cardioprotective antihyperglycemic drugs has increased as second-line treatments for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, over the last decade, patients who actually have cardiovascular disease were less likely to be prescribed them compared to those without CVD.
Strict LDL-C Lowering Linked to Diabetes Progression
While some guidelines recommend statin use to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal under 70 mg/dL for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients at higher risk, others recommend against a target LDL-C level.
Glycemic Control Not Affected Much By Neighborhood Factors
How do demographic, social and geographic factors affect glycemic control over time in veterans newly diagnosed with diabetes?
Traumatic Brain Injury Associated With Cognitive Decline in Later Life
In male veterans, having at least one traumatic brain injury is linked to having lower cognitive scores in later life, according to a twin study
Concerns Raised About ‘Buggy’ Website; VA’s Dependence on It
VA’s main website, va.gov, and several of its support systems have been the victim of bugs that have caused tens of thousands of VA benefits claims to go unprocessed.
Pregnant Veterans Often Discontinue Antidepressants, Monitoring Needed
VA medical providers and veterans need more education about the risks and benefits from continuing antidepressants during pregnancy, according to a new study.
Sustained Virologic Response in HCV Not Lower With Alcohol Use
Traditionally treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been reserved for people who have abstained from alcohol—in some cases for as long as 12 months—largely due to concerns about adherence to treatment protocols, which stemmed from experience with previously used interferon-based regimens.
Army Names Kenney and Petty Best Medics for 2023
Anyone with a 68W military occupation specialty signs up to go above and beyond the call of duty as a matter of course. As combat medic specialists, they provide life-saving treatment in the chaos and trauma of battle and accept responsibility for the health and well-being of their fellow soldiers on base.
Bloodletting Is Among the Ingredients of Political Medicine
On Sept. 12, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that every American 6 months and older should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. Having avoided COVID-19 infection since its arrival on our shores in 2020, I was pleased that an updated booster would soon be available, and my wife scheduled a time for us to receive both the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Alas, my number was up, and the fickle finger of fate allowed COVID-19 to set up shop in my body.
Anti-Suicide Program Offering Free Emergency Care Shows Some Success
At the beginning of this year, VA announced a program whereby veterans in suicidal crisis could go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for free emergency healthcare.
VA Has Good Record Hiring Some Minorities, but Few End Up in Top Management
Over the last decade, VA has increased the percentage of employees who are non-white, but those employees are more likely to be paid less, be fired more and receive fewer raises and awards, as well as, less vacation time, according to a new report.
Five Facilities Where New Cerner EHR Is Live Face Continuing Issues
As VA approaches the 3-year anniversary of the Cerner electronic health record system going live at its first site, the roll-out remains on indefinite hold as the department endeavors to fix problems at the five facilities where the system is active.