Va Health Survey

[Pete53]

I just got a 120 question survey from the VA that was fill in the circle and asked some good questions about the VA. I decided to answer although the VA has tracking info so I am sure that they can profile people who return the answers First one for me in 17 years.

It was interested in how long, how well, wait times, cleanliness of facilities, would I use something else if I could. And most important to me a change to get the pharmacy and meds by mail.

Anyway it took about 30 minutes to fill out and its waiting for the mail man now.

[john999]

I filled that thing out as well. There was one question I was curious about, and that was the one that asked if I would prefer to go to a private doctor. This may be what they are really after and the rest is just window dressing. I said I would prefer to use a private doctor if the VA would pay for it. That means we will probably be on medicade begging to be treated by some guy from Pakistan who is a closet terrorist.

[MRRRR5]

John,

interesting point you make here. I would think that if they let us start seeing a private doc, that we would be able to pick and choose who we wanted though; just my thought.

[Mcafee]

I recieved one of those a year ago went right in the Garbage Can. This is a seperate entity and has nothing to do with the VA. Just a analyst John Elter is the Executive behind this and he and I have had our little conversation and it was not productive to say the least.Referencing VA Health survey and the Policies.Please forgive me i have got one Hell of an Education in this Past Year about how VA Health system and VARO operate and it is an abomonation of an abortion.Please forgive me i do not wish to offend this has been a very rough week for me with the VA all around. and I am sorry.Thank You. I have not been back to the VAMC since May when i was removed from facility by VA police and they do not care what so ever. I have contacted more people in WASH DC than I can shake a stick at. END RESULT ZERO !

[william n]

I filled that thing out as well. There was one question I was curious about, and that was the one that asked if I would prefer to go to a private doctor. This may be what they are really after and the rest is just window dressing. I said I would prefer to use a private doctor if the VA would pay for it. That means we will probably be on medicade begging to be treated by some guy from Pakistan who is a closet terrorist.

its funny this comes up again...i challenged the Director at Bay Pines VHAMC in a one on one meeting, about hand out surveys, and told him that it was a joke.And most vets that they hand them out too have smiles on their faces when they do so, at random??? Told him most vets would prefer to receive outside medical care if it was Paid for. The lines are gettin real long at this facility and seems like staff is jumpin ship to private practice or other med. facilities due too workload...Peace, William

[Mcafee]

Hello all hope all is well.If you need a contact.I hope this helps,However this was not productive for me this just helps them show were there deficiencies are. John R. Elter, DMD, PhD

Director of Surveys

Veterans Health Administration

Office of Quality and Performance Durham Office (OQPD)

601 Keystone Park Drive, Suite 800

Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: (919) 993-3035 ext 224

BlackBerry: (919) 697-1398

Fax: (919) 993-3053

email john.elter@va.gov

[gdsnide]

I just got a 120 question survey from the VA that was fill in the circle and asked some good questions about the VA. I decided to answer although the VA has tracking info so I am sure that they can profile people who return the answers First one for me in 17 years.

It was interested in how long, how well, wait times, cleanliness of facilities, would I use something else if I could. And most important to me a change to get the pharmacy and meds by mail.

Anyway it took about 30 minutes to fill out and its waiting for the mail man now.

Pete, I'm in St.Louis,MO & if a Vet doesn't pick up meds while at hospital they will send them in 7-10 days........Also, a Vet can order Meds over the phone & they mail them....But, if one has refills they have to make sure to order them or VA doesn't send them...GARY

[Pete53]

Gary:

It does not work the same for all. If we all went to the same VA we would have apples but instead some of us have oranges and some rotten potato's.

This questionnaire came from Mid West and was official VA Postage and stuff.

I answered the question same as you John and I wrote in black ink on the form that VA Meds by Mail Suck.

[Pete53]

Jim:

I am no where as bad as you I can replace my meds fairly cheaply but its the principle of the VA pulling that crap in the first place.

The VA calls the tune and changes the rules in mid stream and are arbitrary and capricious at the same time. Rarely if ever does it go in Veterans favor.

I am pretty fed up with dirty tricks of the pharmacy, waiting years to see eye Doctor and a few other things at VA. I did say I would rather go private than to VA not that it will do any good at all.

Even with the War the VA is losing patients all the time. Maybe they will provide better service when it dawns on them that killing Vets is not a good way fot them to keep their jobs.

[Teac]

I received one too, but I just tossed it in the trash. It is these stupid surverys that are worded in such a way that it is almost impossible to point out the problems.... and it is these surveys that are used as proof that the va is providing the Best care in the world.... which in a lot of cases is not true/.

[gdsnide]

Jim:

I am no where as bad as you I can replace my meds fairly cheaply but its the principle of the VA pulling that crap in the first place.

The VA calls the tune and changes the rules in mid stream and are arbitrary and capricious at the same time. Rarely if ever does it go in Veterans favor.

I am pretty fed up with dirty tricks of the pharmacy, waiting years to see eye Doctor and a few other things at VA. I did say I would rather go private than to VA not that it will do any good at all.

Even with the War the VA is losing patients all the time. Maybe they will provide better service when it dawns on them that killing Vets is not a good way fot them to keep their jobs.

Pete, after reading the problems some Vets are having with their Meds makes me glad I'm in St. Louis,MO

The VA has me on 26 ( Yup, 26) pills a day. Have looked up the retail price on some & no way could I afford them.

I take pills for Epilepsy, high blood pressure, & a bunch of them have no idea why I take them as my short term memory has went to hell but always have one of my Daughters with ma & introduce the to the Docs I see as my MEMORY & explain ( If it's a new Doc) my problems.

They have me on one pills a Nurse referred to as a "Chill Pill" as it is supposed to calm one down.

If it is working I'd probably not even be able to get along with myself without it. Still have problems with people as most are a PIA

What I like about all the "Epilepsy" pills is every bottle it say's "We don't know what it does to the Brain but suspect/think it does this or that."

I could never afford all these pills as I estimate they are worth about $2,500.00 or more a month.

Also, have my Daughter put them in the little pill container so I don't forget to take them but which I still do every once in a while.

GARY

[john999]

I hate depending on the VA for meds since they are always trying to find a way to do it cheaper. Now they are questioning my pain meds because some pain doctor does not like opiates. He wants to inject me. No way since I have had those injections about ten times before by real professionals and they did not work. I am not going to let some VA doctor screw up my spine. They don't want to give me fentenol because it is expensive. Morphine and methadone is cheap so they want to give it to me even if I don't want it.