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had VA appointment this morning.......

hillbille
 was talking to the doc just before I left and flat out ask him if it was as bad as the media/crazies are making it out to be.  He is a young doctor and told me he hadn't been following it to close as the VA is pushing preventative measures right now more than actual therapy for recovery.  He did bring up one thing this is an outpatient hospital in clarksburg WVa, with a large nursing home attached, he said they only had 4 ventilators in the entire complex, and that was the problem. should this get out of hand it causes severe breathing issues and most will need ventilator to ride it out, and right now there are not enough, like he said if you have a 50 year old businessman and a 45 year old father of 3, who gets the ventilator??????  and that is what they are afraid it might come to......
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • SCOUT5
    There is a larger supply on ventilators than those kept at the hospitals.   It is not that uncommon for more equipment to be needed than a facility may have on hand.  Equipment rental companies fill the void.   So the VA facility to mention can rent equipment as needed.  Of course if all facilities needed extra equipment there would be more of a problem as even the rental companies have a finite supply. 
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  • BobJudy
    Was on the news tonight that GM and Ford are offering to make ventilators. Sounds similar to WWll, just a different villain to fight this time. Bob
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  • jimdeere
    Once you go on a ventilator, you have to be weaned off of it. 
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  • KenK/84Bravo

    I am seriously afraid that that would be my need, in event of coming down with this, given my preexisting medical conditions. (2 out of the 3 bad ones to have if you come down with this.) I am extremely apprehensive as to what will be taking place here in the next month or two.

    I seriously hope I am wrong, but I am afraid I see the writing on the wall. People poo pooing this away, will be singing a different tune a month from now.

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  • KenK/84Bravo
    BobJudy: 33192459376027/comments/
    Was on the news tonight that GM and Ford are offering to make ventilators. Sounds similar to WWll, just a different villain to fight this time. Bob

    I hope the Government jumps on that, and makes it happen. That will be the make or break it difference in the mortality rate. Nothing else IMHO.


    Having been on a ventilator before, in 2005 after heart surgery, can't say I look forward to repeating that again. Especially for an extended period of time.

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  • KenK/84Bravo

    I just wish, I qualified for VA care. Means test stated I made $6k too much last year to qualify. Just started a new job. 90 day/3 months before receiving benefits. Feeling completely screwed/vulnerable at this point. Apprehensive.

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  • Brookwood
    Lately I have been receiving at least 2 VA News letters a day via E-Mail.  All are updates on the C-Virus.

    The latest received just this morning said that all routine appointments to be conducted......ah oh crap....this is much easier than typing!  

    Aleda E. Lutz VA to shift operations in preparation for COVID-19 surge

    Part of a tri-state maneuver to preserve resources and equipment for sickest Veterans

    The Aleda E. Lutz VA will begin shifting operations to preserve resources this weekend in preparation for an anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients.  This is part of a tri-state operation, including VA Medical Centers across Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 10.  VISN 10 oversees all VA Medical Centers in Cleveland, Columbus, Chillicothe, Dayton, Cincinnati, Northern Indiana, Indianapolis, Detroit, Saginaw, Battle Creek, and Ann Arbor. Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in the following areas will temporarily move to triage and virtual care only.  This includes the VA CBOCs in Alpena, Bad Axe, Cadillac, Clare, Cheboygan, Gaylord, Grayling, Oscoda, and Traverse City.  At these locations, routine appointments will be converted to virtual care, as appropriate. 

    “This measure is in the best interest of our nation’s heroes,” said Dr. Barbara Bates, Medical Center Director.  “We are working to eliminate unnecessary face-to-face contact to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and maximize our resource allocation to help treat the sickest Veterans.  We remain open for business and our mission is unchanged from the charge President Abraham Lincoln gave us more than 150 years ago: To care for him who shall have borne the battle.”

     For Veterans in these affected areas who have questions about routine medical care or required lab work, please contact your Community Based Outpatient Clinic Primary Care Team at the number listed below, or secure message them using MyHealtheVet.


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  • mohawk600
    I am lucky to have gotten coverage with the VA as I only served 4 yrs with an honorable discharge. I have already had two carpal tunnel surgeries and a hip replacement. Have physical therapy for my hip on Monday.......clinic is still open in Austin but they ar screening those who enter.
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  • hillbille
    just got letter in mail today, all future appointment will be teleconference, or video, no walk ins unless it an emergency or special testing.........  am supposed to get my cataract lense replacement lazered next month, not sure if they will do it now or not.
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  • JasonV
    I work at a VA hospital. We are screening all appointments and elective/non emergent appointments are being rescheduled. This is the protect the patients. The patients in the hospital and the Community Living Centers (CLC) are the most vulnerable.
    Veterans are mad about this. A provider has to triage the appointment before we change it but when a Veteran needs a cpap machine adjustment or it is their annual optometry appointment they don't want to here that.

    Also screening 100% of people coming in the building including employees.
    CLC no visitors. We are making accommodations for hospice visitation.
    Hospital patients allowed 1 visitor but will will probably be changing to none.
    Outpatient visit allowed to bring one person with them.
    Valet parking is stopping.

    We have quite a few ventilators in our facility and can get more. PPE such as masks and gloves are a concern across the VA system.
    Also a lot of craziness about testing. Some say what does the testing even matter if there is no treatment and we should just treat the symptoms if people have them.

    All of the above is only my opinion and not the policy of the VA. I am not authorized to represent the VA on social media or the internet.
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