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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
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Winter 2007
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Starting the new year on the right foot
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Prevent the flu bug from biting
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging all veterans to receive flu vaccinations this season. The vaccine is free for veterans enrolled in VA’s health care system and is offered at all of our medical centers and 29 community-based clinics. Check with your nearest VA facility to learn about the flu vaccination.
Vaccination is a simple way of preventing seri-ous health care problems, especially among the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and veterans with spinal cord injuries.
For more information about the flu, visit the VA Public Health Influenza / Flu website. |
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New VA pre-registration program
The pre-registration program updates a veteran patient’s basic information, including address, phone numbers, insurance information and emergency contacts. Veteran Contact
Center employees will be calling patients for their information. If you haven’t updated your information in the past six months, please call (800) 823-9656. It’s very important to keep our records up to date to improve customer service. |
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About Our Mailing List
We make every effort to maintain an accurate mailing list. To be removed from our mailing list or to notify us of a patient's death, please call the Veterans Service Contact Center at 1-888-823-9656.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list or have a suggestion for us, please write to: Editor,
Veterans’ Wellness
Network 2 Communications
465 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY 14620
or e-mail: Kathleen Hider. Please be sure to include your phone number with all correspondence. Do not send your Social Security number or medical history. |
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Editorial Board
Kathleen Hider
Barbara Sellon |
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Stephen Lemons,
Network Director
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Happy New Year! I hope you’re enjoying our 2008 preventive health and wellness calendar and are using it to set some healthy goals for yourself this year. I’m pleased to report that our Network
is meeting or exceeding its clinical quality measures. Currently, we rank No. 1 nationally among 21 VA Health Care Networks on Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Performance Measure “Vital Signs” report card. The report card measures the full spectrum of care—quality, access to services and patient satisfaction.
For inspiration, read Jack Groskin’s story in this issue. Jack has been running since World War II and is proof of how exercise can keep you healthy. There is another great story in this issue about one of our doctors, Craig Miller, who recently served in Iraq. While in Iraq, he continued to care for patients back home through the use of telemedicine. Finally, we hope you will learn some helpful tips on how to treat some common foot problems along with research about a new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis also featured in this issue.
Sincerely,
Stephen L. Lemons,
Ed.D., FACHE
Network Director
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New lifeline offers a helping hand
Have you been feeling that life is too much to handle lately? Have you had thoughts of suicide? VA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
can be reached by calling (800) 273-TALK (8255) or (800) SUICIDE (784-2433) and choosing prompt “1.” Nurses, social workers and addiction
therapists are on hand to help callers, who may choose to remain anonymous.
The line has been up and running since July 15, 2007. “We knew there was a need, especially with returning Iraq veterans and the emotional crises they were having,” says Jan Kemp, R.N., Ph.D., VA suicide prevention coordinator.
Concerned family and friends of veterans can call, too.
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No-shows
A patient who doesn’t arrive for his or her appointment at a VA clinic or medical center and doesn’t
cancel beforehand
is called a “no-show.”
We are
dedicated
to working with veterans to bring these numbers down. In fact, the number of no-shows decreased by almost 12 percent between the first and third quarters. Help us serve your fellow vets by
calling ahead to cancel. |
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Winter 2007
Starting the New Year |
Running |
Vitamins |
Performance
Preparing for Disaster |
Iraq Call |
Feet Beat
VA News and Updates |
Health Beat |
VA Wellness Programs
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: February 15, 2008 |
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