VA St. Louis Health Care System

Congratulations, Dr. Panda! Keep up the great work!

VA PI Dr. Nikhil Panda is clinical Electrophysiologist at the VA St. Louis Health Care System and has been selected as the Principal Investigator for a new clinical device trial INTEGRA-D, sponsored by Impulse Dynamics.

read about the study specficis below and also on our website: https://www.vrefstl.org/integra-d.html

Read more about Dr. Panda and other VREF Supported clinical trials on our website: https://www.vrefstl.org/research.html

Today is National TV Dinner Day in the United States. Still, you could say our Veterans experienced a TV Dinner the military way through "K-Rations" (WWII. Nicknamed: K-Rats), "C-Rations" (WWII-1958. Nicknamed: C-Rats), "Meal, Combat, Individual rations" (1958-1980's, but still called C-Rats) and finally "Meal, Ready to Eat" (1980's to present. Nicknamed: MREs).

For Veterans in service during C-Rats and MREs, the nostalgia debate continues about which is best. C-Rats were deemed monotonous, with only 7 food choices (ham and lima beans were very unpopular; most everyone avoided the eggs and potatoes). You could eat them cold out of the can or hot, but they were better hot. Chocolate, gum, biscuits, and ci******es were included in C-Rats. Two drawbacks: C-Rats added additional weight to field gear, and you needed a P38 (“can opener”).

MREs have come a long way from their roots. They are lightweight in a flexible meal bag and can fit in most standard field uniform side pockets. The entree can be eaten cold or hot and a flameless ration heating device is packed into each meal bag so an open fire is not necessary to cook food. Each year, offerings are refreshed, providing a diverse range of options such as Pepperoni Pizza Slice, Chili w/beans, Beef Goulash, Chicken w/ Egg Noodles and Vegetables. Vegetarian and no pork meals are also offered. Bread and crackers and a spread (cheese or jelly) are often included in these meals, adding to the variety.

Desserts include Cherry Blueberry Cobbler, Vanilla Pound Cake, Chocolate Pudding w/protein, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, and others. Fruit bars and trail mix are often stashed in a cargo pocket for later.

Drinks are powdered and designed for mixing with water in a service member's canteen. The usual flavors are lemonade, grape, orange, and tropical punch. Some MREs contain "Protein Drink Powder" in Chocolate or Chocolate Hazelnut flavor, which some troops use to flavor their coffee.

Certain meals may include one of these items as a bonus: "Plain Milk Chocolate Disks," "Plain Peanut Butter Disks," "Milk Chocolate with Peanuts," "Pan Coated Disks (Original or Sweet and Sour)," or "Licorice Style Candy, Bite Size, Cherry." These treats are often commercially produced by big candy companies and considered among the most tradeable among service members.

Ci******es have long been removed from accessory packets, but a spoon, gum, toilet paper, hand and body wipes, coffee packet, creamer, sugar, sugar substitute, salt, hot sauce packet, and safety matches are included.

While today may be National TV Dinner Day, from now on, let's start a new tradition here at . Let's all raise our canteens and proclaim Sept.10 as National K-Rat/C-Rat/MRE Day!

Beautiful day, amazing event! During this , your is at the Kayak with a Vet Event talking with Veterans about recreational therapy offerings and VA resources.

Veterans and their supporters had the opportunity to try kayaking and gather resources from the over 30 Veterans support groups that attended.

Thanks to Kayak with a Vet hosted by St. Louis Elks Lodge #9 for inviting us!

Sept. 8 is 988 Day, which is the first of a new annual tradition that raises awareness of the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. This years theme is No Judgement, Just Health."

If you're a Veteran in crisis, or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out by calling or texting 988 (press Option 1)

You do not have to be a Veteran to use 988.

***deAwareness

Sept. 6, 2024
ST. LOUIS – Today, the VA St. Louis Health Care System announces that it received a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. In 2023, VA St. Louis scored 4 stars out of a possible 5-Star Rating System, highlighting VA St. Louis’ continuous focus on the health and safety of our Veteran population.

VA St. Louis has a strong commitment to becoming a High Reliability Organization with a priority of zero harm for our Veterans. One aspect of that journey is the team’s dedication to continuous process improvement. Between the end of 2019-2023 VA St. Louis completed 54 process-improvement projects across both campuses. https://www.cms.gov/

“I couldn’t be prouder of our wonderful team,” said Candace Ifabiyi, VA St. Louis Health Care System CEO. “We’ve been on a journey to improve patient outcomes while providing compassionate care since I arrived in January 2023. These efforts have resulted in more than 50 percent of our metrics having meaningful improvements in quality, which is a direct reflection of the excellent care our Veterans receive at VA St. Louis, and it validates our elevation to a 5-star facility.”

VA St. Louis will continue efforts to improve the patient experience to ensure that Veterans receive excellent care with an exceptional experience.

“It’s our commitment that every eligible Veteran not only can choose VA health care, but when they do, that they get the very best and safest care possible,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “For the second year in a row, VA care has been shown to be some of the best in the Nation. We are dedicated to continuously improving as we strive towards always providing the highest quality of care to Veterans.”

“We want to be the healthcare provider of choice for our Veterans and we’re happy to share that in the past year, we’ve grown by more than 8 percent in new enrollees,” said Ifabiyi. “We believe Veterans understand that we provide the best comprehensive care for them.”

Nationally, VA hospitals continue to outperform non-VA hospitals on both CMS’ Overall Star Rating and their quarterly patient satisfaction survey:

• Patient Satisfaction Survey: VA outperformed non-VA hospitals in the most recent CMS Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems star ratings, with 79-percent of VA facilities receiving a summary star rating of 4 or 5 stars compared to 40-percent of non-VA hospitals. This represents the ninth consecutive quarter in which VA facilities have outperformed non-VA counterparts.
• Hospital Quality Ratings: In this year’s CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, more than 58 percent of VA hospitals included received 4- or 5-star ratings compared to 40 percent of non-VA hospitals. This is only the second year VA hospitals have been included in this review, and VA has outperformed non-VA health care in both years.

These findings come at a time when Veteran trust in VA outpatient care has reached an all-time record high of 92 percent, based on a survey of more than 440,000 Veterans. Additionally, these findings are consistent with a recent systematic review that found that VA health care is consistently as good as — or better than — non-VA health care. https://news.va.gov/press-room/studies-va-health-care-better-equal-non-va/

Both CMS ratings aim to improve patients’ ability to make informed decisions about where they receive care. CMS awards Overall Star Ratings to hospitals based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. CMS’ HCAHPS summary star ratings combine information across ten measures of patient experience, including staff communication and responsiveness, hospital environment, willingness to recommend the hospital, and overall hospital rating. This year’s Overall Star Ratings are based on data collected between July 2019 and March 2023, and this quarter’s HCAHPS star ratings are based on data collected between October 2022 and September 2023. https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/hospitals/overall-hospital-quality-star-rating

VA is committed to delivering the timely, world-class health care Veterans deserve and will stop at nothing less. The overall rating — as well as ratings on specific quality and satisfaction measures — of your local VA hospital can be found via CMS’ Care Compare tool. https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/

Veterans! Get ready to roll up that sleeve! Starting Sept. 3, 2024, flu shots will be available at scheduled appointments at JC, JB, and all community outpatient clinics. When you check in for your appointment, tell them you'd like your flu shot. It's that easy. We are also offering a walk-in vaccine clinic and a Saturday drive-thru clinic!

Flu vaccine Walk-In Clinic:
JB Bldg. 1, Main Lobby
JC Main Hospital Lobby off Grand
Dates: Sept. 23 – Nov. 8, 2024
Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Saturday Drive-Thru Flu Vaccine Clinic
JB Bldg. 1, enter circle drive
JC Main Hosp, enter from Enright turn right
Dates: Sept. 28, Oct. 5,, Oct 12, Oct 19, Oct 26
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

Thank you for helping us to protect our communities against
the spread of the flu virus.

Veterans and caregivers, this is a quick reminder that due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Primary Care Clinics, all community-based outpatient clinics, vaccine clinics, and our administrative offices will be CLOSED on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

The John Cochran VA Hospital Emergency Room remains open. If JC ER is not your closest facility, Veterans should dial 911 and visit their nearest emergency department in a life-threatening emergency.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please dial the Veteran Crisis Line at 988 and then press 1 or text 83255. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

For non-urgent, non-emergency matters, Veterans should communicate with their healthcare team via https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home

Veterans can manage prescription refills, schedule or cancel upcoming appointments, and access their healthcare records through My HealtheVet. To use this Secure Messaging feature, Veterans must have registered on My HealtheVet as a VA Patient and have a premium account. If they do not have a My HealtheVet account, they can register today and opt-in to receive email notifications for Secure Messaging.

We wish all a Safe and Happy Labor Day.

Clinic and administrative operations will resume on Tuesday.

Blood supplies are low in the metro area. Please donate at the JC Blood Drive in the Enright Building, Room 16, 1st Floor. 3710 Enright Ave., across from John Cochran VA Hospital. Weds, Sept 4, 2024 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Visit Redcross.org and enter JOHN COCHRAN to schedule your appointment.

Thank you for rolling up your sleeve for this worthy cause.

The Virtual Health Resource Center is NOW OPEN!

The VHRC is in John Cochran Ambassador Suite B-100 at JC, providing one-on-one consultations about all things Telehealth and MyHealtheVet to Veterans and staff. Hours are M – F, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Can’t make it to JC, but have Telehealth and MyHealtheVet questions? Call the team at 314-642-4100 ext. 53356 or email [email protected]

Attention, Veterans and family and friends of Veterans - an important note about the Veteran Crisis Line.

Some callers may be experiencing issues with reaching 988, then press 1. There is a banner to make callers aware of the issue on our website Veterans Crisis Line. The banner notes the following, We are currently experiencing intermittent technical issues with our phone system.

If you are unable to reach us by dialing 988, please consider contacting your local facility (VA St. Louis can be reached at (314) 652-4100), and then press 7. If you are unable to reach us by telephone with any of these methods, you may utilize our chat and text (838255) functions. If you are in imminent danger, call 911.

Veterans Crisis Line 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Therapy Dogs Scout, Maui, and little Luka, along with Facility Puck, bring so much joy and help Veterans with therapy goals at . On , we
thank them and their owner/handlers for all they do to help our Veterans.

And a special shout out to all the dogs who support us and bring comfort to our lives.

Join us on Sept 12, 2024 from 6 - 7 p.m. for your Women's Health Virtual Wellness Event! You can dial-in to 1-833-305-1719 or it will be live streamed at
https://access.live/womenshealthvirtualwellnessevent

For more information about this special event or all our VA St. Louis Women Veterans program offering, contact us at 314-652-4100 ext. 69120

We thank all the Veterans and caregivers who attended the Health Care Welcome Event last night! We had 23 Veterans and 15 caregivers who heard presentations. If you missed this event, we hope you plan to attend the next one in October and learn more about what benefits are available to you. Spread the word. More to follow!

This week marks the second anniversary since the PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden. It has been the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans in more than 30 years.

Whether you are newly enrolled or a current patient of , join us TODAY, Aug. 24, to learn more about the benefits you've earned! Walk-ins are welcome, Virtual options are available. This link will be live at 4 p.m. http://tinyurl.com/2s3k3dh3

For more info on the Pact Act: https://www.va.gov/files/2023-04/PACT_Act_Quick_Guide_2023-02.pdf

Veterans, Family, Caregivers, and Supporters!

The Path of Honor bricks in front of JB Bldg. 1 are being replaced with new bricks at the brand new Path of Honor across from Primary Care Bldg. 55.

Make an appointment with Marge in the CDCE office
(314-894-6530) or email [email protected] to claim your brick. Saturday pickup times are available!

Appointments are REQUIRED so we can ensure your brick is ready for pickup.

Pickup Dates:
Aug 22 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Aug 23 Noon- 3:00 p.m.
Aug. 24 10 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Sep. 5 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Sep. 6 Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Sep. 7 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Who can claim bricks? The person listed on the brick, a family member, a caregiver, or your neighbor is welcome.

Don't worry! You won't have to travel over the rainbow to get your brick, just make your appointment with Marge!

Thank you, Rorschach The Therapy Cat for the visit! Sorry we missed you. Did you see our reel of JB Therapy Dog Luka? He’s pretty chill for a youngster. Even has a Mohawk!

Always a great day when we visit Veterans! 🐾❤️🇺🇸 We visited nurses, doctors, interns, acute & rehab patients, etc!
VA St. Louis Health Care System

Blood supplies around the area are critically low, especially blood type B-negative, but all blood types are needed.

Conveniently located at the St. Charles County VA Clinic, we invite you to join us at TOMORROW, August 15, 2024, from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Please roll up your sleeves and donate blood. Your participation is crucial!

Scan the QR Code in the graphic or Click the link below to schedule your donation time. Walk-in times may be available. Thank you for your donations! See you there.

https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/132037

The Healthy Living Drive-Thru Mobile Food Market at JC is tomorrow, August 14, at 9 a.m. Rain or shine! Spread the word, and please join us at John Cochran VA Hospital on the SECOND WEDNESDAY of each month!

Vehicles enter Bldg. 16 East Parking Lot on Delmar from Spring Avenue, VA staff load food into your car, and you drive through to Enright.
==============
No foot traffic is allowed. - Drive-thru only.
No smoking!
Stay in your vehicle, and we'll do the work.

See you there!

On behalf of our Medical Center Director, Ms. Candace Ifabiyi, and all of us here at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, thank you, U.S. Army Maj. Gen Henderson, for visiting us! We're honored to provide world-class care to our nation's Heroes.

Congratulations to all our Veteran Creatives on a job well done during their participation at the Local Veterans Creative Arts Festival at ! August 2, 2024, was a fantastic day to recognize our artists and writers and to present the awards for all the creative arts categories. It was indeed time to shine!

Thank you to the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Missouri for providing lunch and desserts and our incredible staff, who work tirelessly year-round to prepare for this event!

Photos of the awards ceremony can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vastl/

If you're a Veteran enrolled in VA St. Louis Health Care System who is interested in participating next year in the Creative Arts Festival, your first stop is here: https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/






American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters


Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Millions more Veterans are now eligible for the best, most affordable health care for Veterans. Enroll in VA care today!

Not all Veterans are eligible for the type or amount of benefits shown here.

Health Care | ChooseVA Enroll in the nation’s largest integrated health system and get care that’s personalized, proactive, and patient-driven. Explore your benefits and Choose VA.

Veterans, Family, Caregivers, and Supporters!

Veterans, Family, Caregivers, and Supporters!

The Path of Honor bricks in front of JB Bldg. 1 are being replaced with new bricks at the brand new Path of Honor across from Primary Care Bldg. 55.

Make an appointment with Marge in the CDCE office
(314-894-6530) or email [email protected] to claim your brick. Saturday pickup times are available!

Appointments are REQUIRED so we can ensure your brick is ready for pickup.

Pickup Dates:
Aug 22 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Aug 23 Noon- 3:00 p.m.
Aug. 24 10 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Sep. 5 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Sep. 6 Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Sep. 7 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Who can claim bricks? The person listed on the brick, a family member, a caregiver, or your neighbor is welcome.

Don't worry! You won't have to travel over the rainbow to get your brick, just make your appointment with Marge!

The curtains have closed on another amazing Creative Arts Festival at VA St. Louis Health Care System. Our singers, musicians, and speakers who performed creative works should all be proud of the hard work that goes into preparing and performing!

Thank you to all those behind the scenes who made this event happen!

We also want to give a special shout out to the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Missouri for proving dinner, lunch and intermission desserts for our Creative Arts Festival. Your support is truly appreciated!

The photos from the July 31, 2024, performances can be found on our official FLICKR feed: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vastl/albums/

More photos to follow!





Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters

Flu season is just around the corner. Staying up to date with all your vaccines protects you, your loved ones, and our communities. Find out more: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20220819-protect-yourself-from-flu

💪

The Couples Coach app is designed for partners who want to improve their
relationship and explore new ways to connect. Couples choose missions—small
commitments to improve your relationship—to work through on their own or with their
partner.

Find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLa9LHolVg

See all the available VA apps: https://mobile.va.gov/appstore?filter%5Bapp_audience%5D=25

The awards are ready and the artwork is on display! It’s the final day of our Veterans Creative Arts Festival at Jefferson Barracks. Come out and support our Veteran artists and writers. It’s their day to shine!





Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs