New PubMed Articles 14 Jan 2010

1.

Inappropriate Psychiatric Admission of Elderly Patients with Unrecognized Delirium.

Reeves RR, Parker JD, Burke RS, Hart RH.

South Med J. 2010 Jan 8. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20065900 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

2.

Effects of aerobic exercise on mild cognitive impairment: a controlled trial.

Baker LD, Frank LL, Foster-Schubert K, Green PS, Wilkinson CW, McTiernan A, Plymate SR, Fishel MA, Watson GS, Cholerton BA, Duncan GE, Mehta PD, Craft S.

Arch Neurol. 2010 Jan;67(1):71-9.PMID: 20065132 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

3.

Provider management strategies of abnormal test result alerts: a cognitive task analysis.

Hysong SJ, Sawhney MK, Wilson L, Sittig DF, Espadas D, Davis T, Singh H.

J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2010 Jan-Feb;17(1):71-7.PMID: 20064805 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

4.

Suicide-related behaviors in older patients with new anti-epileptic drug use: data from the VA hospital system.

Van Cott AC, Cramer JA, Copeland LA, Zeber JE, Steinman MA, Dersh JJ, Glickman ME, Mortensen EM, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ.

BMC Med. 2010 Jan 11;8(1):4. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20064226 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

5.

Superior parietal cortex is critical for the manipulation of information in working memory.

Koenigs M, Barbey AK, Postle BR, Grafman J.

J Neurosci. 2009 Nov 25;29(47):14980-6.PMID: 19940193 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articlesFree article

6.

Statin therapy and serum transaminases among a cohort of HCV-infected veterans.

Henderson LM, Patel S, Giordano TP, Green L, El-Serag HB.

Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Jan;55(1):190-5.PMID: 19731022 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

7.

Patterns of biologic agent use in older males with inflammatory diseases: an institution-focused, observational post-marketing study.

Tran S, Hooker RS, Cipher DJ, Reimold A.

Drugs Aging. 2009;26(7):607-15. doi: 10.2165/11316350-000000000-00000.PMID: 19655827 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

8.

Issues in the design of a randomized noninferiority clinical trial of telemental health psychotherapy for rural combat veterans with PTSD.

Morland LA, Greene CJ, Rosen C, Mauldin PD, Frueh BC.

Contemp Clin Trials. 2009 Nov;30(6):513-22. Epub 2009 Jul 1.PMID: 19576299 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

VAOIG Inspection of VA Regional Office Roanoke, VA

Inspection of VA Regional Office Roanoke, VA 01/14/10. The Roanoke VARO management team faces challenges in providing benefits and services to veterans. The Roanoke VARO challenges include addressing oversight of operational activities, acquiring space to support adequate storage of large filing cabinets containing veterans’ claims folders, associating claimant evidence with the veterans’ claims folders, and providing training to staff. The VARO did not meet requirements for 6 of 14 operational areas reviewed. The VARO management team needs to provide additional oversight and training of personnel responsible for processing claims identified as traumatic brain injury (TBI), herbicide exposure, and Haas cases. Additionally, management needs to improve controls over the safeguarding of veterans’ personally identifiable information (PII), handling of claims-related mail, and responding to electronic inquiries. We recommended that the VARO coordinate with VA contracted medical staff to ensure medical examiners use the most current examination worksheet when evaluating disabilities associated with TBI. In addition, we recommended the VARO improve oversight to ensure proper safeguards of veterans’ PII, improve mail-handling procedures in the Triage team, and improve oversight of electronic responses to veterans. Further, the VARO needs to acquire adequate space to store and safeguard veterans’ claims folder. The Director of the Roanoke VARO concurred with all recommendations. The management team’s planned actions are responsive and we will follow-up as required on all actions. VAOIG

VAOIG Review of the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Reno, Nevada

Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Reno, Nevada 01/14/10. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 71 employees. This review focused on seven operational activities. The system complied with selected standards in magnetic resonance imaging safety. We identified the discharge call program and provider dashboard as organizational strengths. We made recommendations for improvements in the following six activities: QM. Physician credentialing and privileging. Coordination of care. Environment of care. Medication management. Contracted/agency registered nurses. VAOIG

Number of Federal Recovery Coordinators Expanded

VA, DoD Expand Ranks of Federal Recovery Coordinators 01/14/10. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the hiring of five new Federal Recovery Coordinators, bringing to 20 the number of professionals coordinating care for the most seriously injured service members. VA

New PubMed Articles 13 Jan 2010

1.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Herbers J, Zarter S.

J Hosp Med. 2010 Jan 8;5(1):E21-E25. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20063282 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

2.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not a contraindication to gastric bypass in veterans with morbid obesity.

Ikossi DG, Maldonado JR, Hernandez-Boussard T, Eisenberg D.

Surg Endosc. 2010 Jan 9. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20063014 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

3.

Relationship of combat experiences to alcohol misuse among U.S. soldiers returning from the Iraq war.

Wilk JE, Bliese PD, Kim PY, Thomas JL, McGurk D, Hoge CW.

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010 Jan 6. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20060237 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

4.

Group interpersonal psychotherapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.

Ray RD, Webster R.

Int J Group Psychother. 2010 Jan;60(1):131-40.PMID: 20059298 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

5.

The effect of a PPO pay-for-performance program on patients with diabetes.

Maciejewski ML, Bryson CL, Perkins M, Blough DK, Cunningham FE, Fortnew JC, Krein SL, Stroupe KT, Sharp ND, Liu CF.

Am J Manag Care. 2010 Jan 1;16(1):e20-35.PMID: 20059288 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

6.

Effects of hypoglycemic agents on mortality and major cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a narrative review [88].

Miranda VP, Rodrigues MJ, Gonçalves FR, Nunes JP.

Rev Port Cardiol. 2009 Oct;28(10):1099-119.PMID: 20058777 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

7.

Patient satisfaction with physician-patient communication during telemedicine.

Agha Z, Schapira RM, Laud PW, McNutt G, Roter DL.

Telemed J E Health. 2009 Nov;15(9):830-9.PMID: 19919189 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

8.

Key process indicators of mortality in the implementation of protocol-driven therapy for severe sepsis.

Wang JL, Chin CS, Chang MC, Yi CY, Shih SJ, Hsu JY, Wu CL.

J Formos Med Assoc. 2009 Oct;108(10):778-87.PMID: 19864198 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articlesFree article

9.

Patient and organizational factors related to education and support use by Veterans with Parkinson's disease.

Pogoda TK, Cramer IE, Meterko M, Lin H, Hendricks A, Holloway RG, Charns MP.

Mov Disord. 2009 Oct 15;24(13):1916-24.PMID: 19606487 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

10.

Clinical signs of infection in diabetic foot ulcers with high microbial load.

Gardener SE, Hillis SL, Frantz RA.

Biol Res Nurs. 2009 Oct;11(2):119-28.PMID: 19147524 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

Yoga Can Help Veterans Deal With Stress

Yoga Helps Vets Find Balance 01/13/10.  For Roslyn Reesemoran, a horrible accident in the early days of the Iraq war remains fresh in her mind. A platoon sergeant in 2003, Reesemoran was in an Army transportation company, responsible for refueling trucks that carried critical supplies to Soldiers.      One day while out on a mission, as usual, small children ran up to the trucks and asked for food and water.  But on this particular day, one of the trucks accidentally ran over a small child.  "To see that kid die just tore my heart out," said Reesemoran, who is now retired from the Army. "I had a real problem after that being around kids. When I got back, I was really angry."  
     She went to the Veterans Administration seeking medical care in 2008 after her retirement and, like 20 percent of today's combat veterans, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Specifically, she was suffering from bereavement and anxiety, doctors told her.
     "I had been suppressing all my memories," Reesemoran said.  That's when she was invited to try a new program at Fort Jackson, one that uses the ancient practice of yoga to help Soldiers who have been diagnosed with PTSD decrease physical and mental tension.  Military Health System

VAOIG Inspection of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Fayetteville, Arkansas

Healthcare Inspection Alleged Denial of Care and Quality of Care Issues Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Fayetteville, Arkansas 01/13/10. The purpose of this inspection was to determine the validity of the allegations regarding the quality of mental health care provided to a patient. We could not find evidence in the medical record documentation that the provider sufficiently explored relevant aspects of the patient’s recent suicidal thoughts and or further inquired about the location of the patient’s gun. Primary Care Service did not provide the patient with a mental health consult within the required timeframe and did not facilitate further assessment of the patient’s mental health when he presented to the CBOC for unscheduled visits with mental health issues. Although we identified these patient care issues, given all the facts in this case, including those relating to the care provided to this patient both at VA and at non-VA facilities, we cannot conclude that these deficiencies impacted the patient’s outcome. We recommended that managers: (1) require documented discussion in the patient’s medical record regarding access to lethal weapons for patient’s determined by the evaluating clinician to be at heightened risk for suicide; (2) require newly hired providers are initially monitored through chart review to assure new staff are sufficiently adept with use of CPRS, (3) assure patients seen in the primary care clinic and who have mental health needs receive timely referrals; and assure that clinical staff facilitate further assessment of patient’s mental health care needs for patients who present to primary care for unscheduled visits where mental health issues are central to the visit. Management submitted appropriate implementations. VAOIG

VAOIG Inspection of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center Iron Mountain, Michigan

Healthcare Inspection Alleged Management Decisions Impacting Patient Care and Work Environment Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center Iron Mountain, Michigan 01/13/10. The purpose of this review was to determine the validity of allegations regarding management decision impacting patient care and work environment. Three of the allegations resulted in recommendations to the VISN and Medical Center Directors. We recommended that: (1) actions be taken to reduce the scanning backlog and establish a process to assure timely entry of significant information in patients’ electronic medical records, (2) managers initiate a review of registered nurse staffing to ensure coverage of the Emergency Department and Nursing Officer of the Day, and (3) the Medical Center Director communicates, orally and in writing, organizational changes to all employees and that administrative supervisory lines are clearly written and effected in official personnel actions. VAOIG

New PubMed Articles 12 Jan 2010

1.

Fasting glucose, diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and depression: the Vietnam experience study.

Gale CR, Kivimaki M, Lawlor DA, Carroll D, Phillips AC, Batty GD.

Biol Psychiatry. 2010 Jan 15;67(2):189-92. Epub .PMID: 19892320 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

2.

Comparison of critical drug-drug interaction listings: the Department of Veterans Affairs medical system and standard reference compendia.

Olvey EL, Clauschee S, Malone DC.

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Jan;87(1):48-51. Epub 2009 Nov 4.PMID: 19890252 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

3.

Fewer polyps detected by colonoscopy as the day progresses at a Veteran's Administration teaching hospital.

Chan MY, Cohen H, Spiegel BM.

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Nov;7(11):1217-23; quiz 1143. Epub 2009 Jul 22.PMID: 19631284 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

A Veteran's Insight on Suicide Prevention

Veteran Gives Insight on Suicide Prevention 01/12/10. When retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido was medically evacuated from Iraq in August 2004, he knew tough challenges were ahead, as he’d have to learn to live without his left leg. But as he sat in his hospital bed at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he began to realize that recovering from his physical disability was only a small part of that challenge. “When my leg was taken away … I sat in the hospital bed not knowing what was happening to me mentally,” said Pulido, who medically retired after a 19-year Army career. “I remember those three weeks at Brooke where I thought about the fact that as positive as I am, I hit that dark place, and those hidden wounds were the ones that would cripple me at times when I just didn’t understand.” Defense.gov

New Stroke Therapy

New stroke therapy successful in rats 01/12/10. People with impaired mobility after a stroke soon may have a therapy that restores limb function long after the injury, if a supplemental protein works as well in humans as it does in paralyzed rats. Two new studies by UC Irvine biologists have found that a protein naturally occurring in humans restores motor function in rats after a stroke. Administered directly to the brain, the protein restores 99 percent of lost movement; if it’s given through the nose, 70 percent of lost movement is regained. Untreated rats improve by only 30 percent.  UCIrvine via Eurekalert!

VAOIG Review of VA Health Care System in Phoenix, Arizona

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Phoenix VA Health Care System Phoenix, Arizona 01/11/10. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 302 employees. This review focused on six operational activities. The system complied with selected standards in the following four activities: (1) coordination of care, (2) magnetic resonance imaging safety, (3) physician credentialing and privileging, and (4) QM. We identified the management of veterans’ belongings and podiatry access as organizational strengths. We made recommendations for improvements in the following two activities: Medication management. Environment of care. VAOIG

New PubMed Articles Regarding Veterans Health Issues 9 Jan 2010

1.

Canada's Veterans Independence Program: A Pioneer of "Aging at Home".

Pedlar D, Lockhart W, Macintosh S.

Healthc Pap. 2009;10(1):72-7.PMID: 20057220 [PubMed - in process]

2.

Healthcare costs of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile infections in Veterans: role of vitamin D deficiency.

Youssef D, Bailey B, El Abbassi A, Copeland R, Adebonojo L, Manning T, Peiris AN.

Epidemiol Infect. 2010 Jan 8:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20056018 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related articles

3.

An evaluation of an initiative to improve Veterans Health Administration mental health services: broad impacts of the VHA's Mental Health Strategic Plan.

Greenberg GA, Rosenheck RA.

Mil Med. 2009 Dec;174(12):1263-9.PMID: 20055066 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

4.

Equity in Veterans Affairs disability claims adjudication in a national sample of veterans.

Grubaugh AL, Elhai JD, Ruggiero KJ, Egede LE, Naifeh JA, Frueh BC.

Mil Med. 2009 Dec;174(12):1241-6.PMID: 20055063 [PubMed - in process]Related articles

5.

ED antibiotic use for acute respiratory illnesses since pneumonia performance measure inception.

Fee C, Metlay JP, Camargo CA Jr, Maselli JH, Gonzales R.

Am J Emerg Med. 2010 Jan;28(1):23-31.PMID: 20006197 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

6.

Associations between race and ethnicity and treatment for chronic pain in the VA.

Dobscha SK, Soleck GD, Dickinson KC, Burgess DJ, Lasarev MR, Lee ES, McFarland BH.

J Pain. 2009 Oct;10(10):1078-87.PMID: 19800567 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

7.

An evaluation of patient-physician communication style during telemedicine consultations.

Agha Z, Roter DL, Schapira RM.

J Med Internet Res. 2009 Sep 30;11(3):e36.PMID: 19793720 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articlesFree article

8.

PTSD, combat injury, and headache in Veterans Returning from Iraq/Afghanistan.

Afari N, Harder LH, Madra NJ, Heppner PS, Moeller-Bertram T, King C, Baker DG.

Headache. 2009 Oct;49(9):1267-76.PMID: 19788469 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

9.

Prognostic significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, TWIST1 and Snail expression in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Hung JJ, Yang MH, Hsu HS, Hsu WH, Liu JS, Wu KJ.

Thorax. 2009 Dec;64(12):1082-9. Epub 2009 Sep 23. Review.PMID: 19778933 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

10.

Ethnicity, race, and clinically significant macular edema in the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT).

Emanuele N, Moritz T, Klein R, Davis MD, Glander K, Khanna A, Thottapurathu L, Bahn G, Duckworth W, Abraira C; Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial Study Group.

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2009 Nov;86(2):104-10. Epub 2009 Aug 31.PMID: 19720420 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

11.

eQuality for all: Extending automated quality measurement of free text clinical narratives.

Brown SH, Elkin PL, Rosenbloom ST, Fielstein E, Speroff T.

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2008 Nov 6:71-5.PMID: 18999230 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articlesFree article

12.

MyHealtheVet PHR: a description of users and patient portal use.

Nazi KM, Woods SS.

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2008 Nov 6:1182.PMID: 18999142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related articles

Wounded Vets to Particiapte in First Warrior Games May 10-14 in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Wounded Vets to Participate in First Warrior Games 01/10/10. Some 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games May 10-14 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Defense Department officials announced today. The U.S. Olympic Committee will host the games, and events will include shooting, swimming, archery, track, discus, shot put, cycling, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, Army Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, commander of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command, said at a Pentagon news conference. Military Health System

VAOIG Review of Roseburg Healthcare System Roseburg, Oregon

Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA Roseburg Healthcare System Roseburg, Oregon 01/10/10. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). This review focused on seven operational activities. The system complied with selected standards in the following three activities: (1) coordination of care, (2) environment of care, and (3) magnetic resonance imaging safety. We identified the Employee Influenza Program as an organizational strength. We made recommendations for improvements in the following four activities: QM. Medication management. Physician credentialing and privileging. Contracted/agency registered nurses. VAOIG

VAOIG Inspection of Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center Clarksburg, West Virginia

Healthcare Inspection Quality of Care Issues Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center Clarksburg, West Virginia 01/10/10. The purpose of this review was to determine the validity of allegations of poor communication between the surgeon and the patient/family, delay in dialysis treatment, improper medical record documentation, failure to provide requested medical records, inappropriate use of restraints and continued medication despite evidence of adverse reaction. We concluded that there were deficiencies in this patient’s care that warranted consideration of institutional disclosure to the family. We did not substantiate the complainant’s allegation that surgical residents performed surgery without the family’s knowledge. We substantiated the allegation that dialysis was delayed; however, the medical center now provides in-house dialysis, and a nephrologist is on call at all times. We substantiated the allegation that some of the patient’s medical care was improperly documented. The medical record did not support statements made in an addendum to the discharge summary. We did not substantiate the allegation that a late entry into the electronic medical record was not marked as such, since all entries are automatically timed and dated. We did not substantiate the allegations that: complete medical records were not provided as requested, restraints were improperly used, and a medication was not discontinued despite a possible adverse reaction. Managers concurred with our recommendation to review this case with Regional Counsel to determine whether disclosure was managed appropriately. VAOIG

GAO Review: VA Need Improved Oversight and Compliance for Physician Credentialing and Privileging Processes

VA Health Care: Improved Oversight and Compliance Needed for Physician Credentialing and Privileging Processes 01/10/10. VA has policies to ensure that physicians have appropriate qualifications and clinical abilities through the processes of credentialing, privileging, and continuous monitoring of performance. Results of a VA investigatory report in 2008 cited deficiencies in the Marion, Illinois, VA medical center’s (VAMC) credentialing and privileging processes and oversight of its surgical program. This report examines VA’s policies and guidance to help ensure that information about physician qualifications and performance is accurate and complete, VAMCs’ compliance with selected VA credentialing and privileging policies, and their implementation of VA policies to continuously monitor performance. GAO

VA and Kaiser Permanente Now Sharing Electronic Health Record Information

VA, Kaiser link electronic health record systems 01/10/10. The Veterans Affairs Department and healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente have begun to share electronic health record information of patients who receive care services from both providers in the San Diego, Calif., area. Government Health IT