“Veterans will continue to see improvements in VA services, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said at ‘State of the VA’ speech Feb. 5 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.”
“These improvements for Veterans include increased innovation—including the VA’s first 5G hospital—along with decreased wait times for appointments and better overall care.”Increased innovation
“The VA hospital in Palo Alto, California, is about to become one of the first 5G enabled health facilities in the world, with portions becoming operational this week. The secretary said will deliver is richer, more detailed three-dimensional images of patients’ anatomy. He added the resolution is so clear and consistent that it will give VA a reliable means of delivering telesurgery services to Veterans…”
“Wilkie also pointed to VA’s work on exoskeletons, which do the work patients can’t do on their own. The VA currently has a pilot program to develop exoskeletons that stimulate the spinal cord…”
Other innovation
“The secretary also pointed to a VA partnership to help Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and pain management…”
Better Veteran Care
“Veteran wait time is shorter at VA than compared to private sector. This decreased wait time is for primary care and two of three specialty areas. Wilkie said that’s coupled with a record-high 59.9 million Veteran visits in fiscal year 2019. That’s 1.7 million more appointments for Veterans than ever before. He added 90 percent of Veterans surveyed trust the care they get at VA….”
Different approaches
“Wilkie said the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide, or PREVENTS, task force is weeks away from releasing recommendations. The task force will include a community integration and collaboration proposal, a national research strategy and an implementation strategy…” Read the full blog post here.
Source: SecVA: Veterans to see continued improvements in 2020 – By Adam Stump, February 5, 2020. VAntage Point.
