Page 4 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 11, 2021

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Current PCS, household goods affected by supply shortages Veteran feedback needed from health care surveys

Air Force News It Yourself move). According to the com- VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is constantly appointment. A link to the V-Signals survey is sent to the
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, muniqué, this option allows personnel to evolving the way it provides care based on feedback from veteran via a text message or email. This allows the veteran
supply shortages have been popping up “control your move dates and ensure you veterans themselves. to provide real-time feedback and is shorter in length than
in everything from lumber to computer have ready access to your property upon Shortly after a visit to a VASNHS hospital or clinic, vet- the SHEP survey. Results are shared with VASNHS Veterans
chips to new cars. arrival at your new location. There are erans may receive a survey that asks them about their visit. Experience staff within 5-10 mins of survey submission.
These shortfalls are likely to affect some several PPM options, including one that These can come in two forms: a SHEP or V-Signals survey. Currently V-Signals surveys are provided for Outpatient
service members and their families this reimburses up to what the government The Survey of Healthcare Experience of Patients (SHEP) appointments, but plans are in place for Inpatient appoint-
summer during the typically busy per- would have paid for the move and another provides information to facility managers about the veteran ments to be eligible for V-Signals surveys in the near future.
manent change of station, or PCS, season. where you could receive a financial incen- experience. Feedback includes ease and speed of making VASNHS Chief of Public Affairs Charles Ramey says
According to a newly released com- tive of 100 percent of the government’s an appointment, experience with their provider, followed SHEP and V-Signals surveys impact the Veteran experience
muniqué from the Air Force’s Personal constructed cost, plus fuel surcharge, and up with blood test or x-ray results, and if medications were and improve clinical health outcomes in profound ways. “If
Property Activity Headquarters, “Depart- other (accessory costs).” discussed. Veterans can receive this survey through post we don’t know how we’re doing, we don’t know where to
ment of Defense demand this peak season In addition to the old “rent a truck” mail or email, and typically arrives two weeks after your VA photograph focus our efforts to improve care. The more people we hear
has greatly exceeded commercial industry PPM option, Airmen now have access appointment or discharge from inpatient care. An Air Force veteran looks over the VA survey. from, the more reliable our information is and the more
capabilities, largely due to resource con- to new modes within the commercial SHEP surveys focus on four health care areas: inpatient confident we are that we are looking in the right places and
straints associated with the COVID-19 industry called portable moving and care, primary care, specialty care and care in the commu- hospital care provided in return for the public investment. taking the right actions.”
pandemic. Per industry, this resulted in a storage containers. These containers are nity. The survey information and other data, such as wait These are also some of the key drivers that impact veteran In the case of both surveys, veterans’ participation is
25% decrease in their labor pool, resulting dropped at the home, the service member times, staffing data, direct observation or talking to patients, trust in the quality of care. paramount to their success. VA nationwide averages about
in (decreased) personal property move- Navy photograph by Daniel Mayberry packs them and the company picks up, help to generate a robust picture of facility health and areas SHEP shows us where we stand among health care a 35 percent response rate. This indicates many veterans
ment capacity necessary to support private A family’s household goods are packed up ready for a PCS move in Honolulu, Hawaii. transports, stores and then delivers to the for improvement. providers within our community and across the nation. invest in their own health care and appreciate having a voice
sector and government demand.” destination. Some companies also offer a Nationally, all health care is evaluated under a program By maintaining what is good and focusing improvement in improving it. The number of patients surveyed varies
To mitigate negative impacts on DOD ity to achieve maximum carrier capacity. • Ask about expanding pack/pickup (a.k.a., menu of associated services including full called CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare measures on problem areas, we expect ratings to improve based on the size of the facility and the type of care sought.
families, the Air Force Joint Personal For those scheduled to PCS this year, “spread date”) windows from the current or partial packing. Providers and Systems.) This program helps health care over time. The quarterly reports provide gains or losses Ramey believes these surveys are an important compo-
Property Shipping Offices are employing there are some actions that can add more seven-day requirement to 14 days. Airmen can contact their local Person- systems to evaluate their care in three areas. First, patients’ based on the previous reporting period. nent of VASNHS becoming a trusted care provider. “Fo-
all available tools and options to accom- flexibility to your plans and help the • Contact the assignments team to deter- al Property Processing Office to discuss perspectives of care that allow objective and meaningful The VA Office of Quality and Patient Safety, Analytics cusing on those moments that matter increases a veterans
modate shipment and delivery requests. Household Goods community with an mine if they can postpone the move by the benefits of a PPM. They can provide comparisons of hospitals on topics that are important to and Performance Integration Division, Office of Perfor- understanding and ability to manage their health post-
Individual DOD services and United expanded opportunity to move personal changing the report not later than date. an estimate of the cost factors, describe consumers. Second, public reporting of the survey results mance Measurement, conducts SHEP surveys. discharge. Good patient experience is good medicine. By
States Transportation Command leaders property: Airmen can take more control over their the ins and outs of the programs and help creates new incentives for hospitals to improve quality of The second survey that the VA relies on for veteran giving them a good patient experience and always looking
are working with the commercial industry • Get shipping requests in four to six move this summer by doing a personally determine if the PPM option is a good fit care. Third, public reporting serves to enhance accountabil- feedback about their care is V-Signals. A V-Signals survey to improve it, we are giving them the skills and knowledge
to modify business rules, adding flexibil- weeks prior to the pickup window. procured move (formerly known as the Do for each family. ity in health care by increasing transparency of the quality of is given at random shortly after a veteran finishes their needed to stay healthy.”

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David M.

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