Biological Fuel Cells May Power Prosthetics

UGA researchers achieve breakthrough in effort to develop tiny biological fuel cells 06/19/09. University of Georgia researchers have developed a successful way to grow molecular wire brushes that conduct electrical charges, a first step in developing biological fuel cells that could power pacemakers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs. The journal Chemical Science calls the technique "a significant breakthrough for nanotechnology." University of Georgia via Eurekalert!

Assessing Exposure to Agent Orange

Assessing exposure to allied ground troops in the Vietnam War: a quantitative evaluation of the Stellman Exposure Opportunity Index model 06/18/09. The Exposure Opportunity Index (EOI) is a proximity-based model developed to estimate relative exposure of ground troops in Vietnam to aerially applied herbicides. We conducted a detailed quantitative evaluation of the EOI model by using actual herbicide spray missions isolated in time and space. EOI scores were calculated for each of 36 hypothetical receptor location points associated with each spray mission for 30 herbicide missions for two time periods - day of herbicide application and day 2-3 post-application. Our analysis found an enormous range of EOI predictions with 500-1000-fold differences across missions directly under the flight path. This quantitative examination of the EOI suggests that extensive testing of the model's code is warranted. Researchers undertaking development of a proximity-based exposure model for epidemiologic studies of either Vietnam veterans or the Vietnamese population should conduct a thorough and realistic analysis of how precise and accurate the model results are likely to be and then assess whether the model results provide a useful basis for their planned epidemiologic studies. Chemosphere via PubMed

VAOIG Inspection of Use & Reprocessing of Flexible Fiberoptic Endoscopes

Healthcare Inspection Use and Reprocessing of Flexible Fiberoptic Endoscopes at VA Medical Facilities 06/17/09. Our extensive review concluded that facilities have not complied with management directives to ensure compliance with reprocessing of endoscopes, resulting in a risk of infectious disease to veterans. Reprocessing of endoscopes requires a standardized, monitored approach to ensure that these instruments are safe for use in patient care. The failure of medical facilities to comply on such a large scale with repeated alerts and directives suggests fundamental defects in organizational structure. Nevertheless, we did conclude that the Clinical Risk Assessment Advisory Board has been an effective mechanism for providing guidance to VHA leadership on disclosure of adverse events to veterans. We recommended that VHA management ensure compliance with relevant directives regarding endoscope reprocessing, explore possibilities for improving the reliability of endoscope reprocessing with VA and non-VA experts, and review the VHA organizational structure and make necessary changes to implement quality controls and ensure compliance with directives. VAOIG

Assertive community treatment for Vets With Serious Mental Illness

Initiation of assertive community treatment among veterans with serious mental illness: client and program factors. 06/17/09. Most patients who were eligible for yet not already receiving VA ACT services went without these services in FY 2004. Geographic distance limited services initiation. Focused efforts are needed to enhance ACT servhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrezices initiation and delivery, particularly for individuals in remote locations. Psychiatric Services via PubMed

Statins & Colorectal Cancer in Vets With Diabetes

Statins and the risk of colorectal carcinoma: a nested case-control study in veterans with diabetes. 06/17/09. The use of statins was associated with a small reduction in the risk of colon cancer in patients with diabetes. However, the causal link is not clear. American Journal of Gastroenterology via PubMed

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grants Expanded

Veterans Affairs: Implementation of Temporary Residence Adaptation Grants. 06/15/09. As of May 2009, approximately 34,000 service members had been wounded in action as part
of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. In response to concerns about
the assistance that service members injured in combat receive when they transition back into
civilian life, Congress has enacted several laws to improve the benefits available to veterans
and service members, including the Veterans’ Housing Opportunity and Benefits
Improvement Act of 2006.1 This act authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to
expand its previously existing adaptive housing assistance grants to include eligible
individuals temporarily living in a home owned by a family member, known as Temporary
Residence Adaptation (TRA) grants. GAO

VA Flunks Inspection

VA Inspections Expose Training Flaws 06/15/09. Fewer than half of Veterans Affairs clinics given a surprise inspection last month had proper training and guidelines in place for common endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopies - even after the agency learned that mistakes may have exposed thousands of veterans to HIV and other diseases. The findings, from the VA's inspector general and obtained by The Associated Press, suggest that errors in colonoscopies and other minimally invasive procedures performed at VA facilities may be more widespread than initially believed. Military.com

More Vets to Get Health Care

Priority Group 8 Enrollment Relaxation Changes 06/15/09. VA eligibility rules changed on June 15, 2009, making it easier for more Veterans to enroll in VA’s health care system. Under this new regulation, VA relaxed income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. A web–based calculator is available for Veterans to enter their income information, dependents, and zip code to assess if their income would fall within the proposed income threshold adjustments. Veterans are encouraged to contact VA’s Health Resource Center at 1–877–222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website for more information. VA

Changes to Give 265,000 Vets Health Care 06/15/09. VA officials plan to add more than 266,000 veterans to the health care program by October 2010 as part of an effort by the White House to expand coverage to those left out of the system. As the economy has faltered, the department has seen a leap in the number of vets asking for help. Military.com

It's About Time! Why Didn't the VA Provide Full Disclose to Vets On Its Website?.

VA to tell House panel about mistakes with equipment used for colonoscopies, other procedures 06/14/09. A congressional panel is pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose on Tuesday whether non-sterile equipment that may have exposed 10,000 veterans to HIV and other infections was isolated to three Southeast hospitals or is part of a wider problem. "Somebody is going to have to take responsibility," said U.S. Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' oversight and investigation subcommittee. AP

Per Diem for Nursing Home Care in State Homes

Per diem for nursing home care of veterans in state homes. Final rule. 06/14/09. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations which set forth a mechanism for paying per diem to State homes providing nursing home care to eligible veterans. More specifically, we are updating the basic per diem rate, implementing provisions of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, and making several other changes to better ensure that veterans receive quality care in State homes. Federal Register via PubMed

Service Connection Between AL Amyloidosis and Agent Orange Exposure

Presumptive service connection for disease associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents: AL amyloidosis. Final rule. 06/14/09.This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)adjudication regulations concerning presumptive service connection for a certain disease based on the most recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS)Institute of Medicine committee report,‘‘Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2006’’ (Update 2006). This amendment is necessary to implement a decision of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that there is a positive association between exposure to herbicides used in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and the subsequent development of AL amyloidosis. The intended effect of this amendment is to establish presumptive service connection for AL amyloidosis based on h erbicide exposure. Federal Register via PubMed

Amendment to Enrollment in VA Health Care System

Expansion of enrollment in the VA health care system. 06/14/09. This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations regarding enrollment in the VA health care system. In particular, it establishes additional subpriorities within enrollment priority category 8 and provides that beginning on the effective date of the rule, VA will begin enrolling priority category 8 veterans whose income exceeds the current means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Federal Register via PubMed