Page 6 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, October 2, 2020

6 October 2, 2020 veterans’ news Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa October 2, 2020 7
www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb Facebook.com/NellisDesertLightningNews www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb Facebook.com/NellisDesertLightningNews

VA improves access increasing telehealth visits

by John Archiquette ficer for expanding telehealth access
AV Southern Nevada Healthcare due to COVID-19. “What we discovered
was that we were not only able to offer
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare most of our services via video, but that
System has completed 47,438 video it was also a more convenient modality
telehealth appointments with veterans of care for some patients. Addition-
in their homes to date in 2020. ally, by supplementing most traditional
This represents an increase in video face-to-face mental health care with
telehealth appointments of more than video appointments, we have essentially
3,500 percent since Jan. 1. expanded access to care. Video mental
Video telehealth allows veterans health care will forever remain a very
and their caregivers to meet virtually viable option for most forms of mental
with their VA care teams on any com- health care.”
puter, tablet, or mobile device with an All primary care and mental health
internet or data service connection. professionals at VA Southern Nevada
As in-person interactions decreased in Healthcare System can provide video
response to the coronavirus pandemic, telehealth care to veterans in their
video telehealth has supported veterans’ homes or other locations of their choice.
abilities to continue care and remain In addition, almost 60 percent of all
safe at home. specialty professionals are currently ca-
“When we contemplated using VA pable of providing video telehealth visits
Video Connect in a more robust capac- with more staff being trained daily.
ity many of our staff members expressed More than 14,500 individual veter-
concern that we could not offer all of ans served by the VA Southern Nevada
the services that we offered via a face Healthcare System have completed
to face format,” said Timothy Jobin, video telehealth visits. VA staff provide
associate chief of staff for Behavioral equipment training and support to as- VA photograph
Health and VASNHS’ lead project of- sist Veterans. A telehealth provider meets with veteran for a video appointment.

A Full Service Firm

DempSey, robertS & Smith, ltD.

Security clearance issues, personal injury,
probate, Family law, Wrongful Death and more

call to schedule an appointment
Dempsey, roberts & Smith, ltd.

Attorneys at law

702-388-1216

1130 Wigwam Parkway • Henderson, Nevada 89074
www.drsltd.com