Send a personalized message to VA at kiosks located in the Sails Pavilion and next to halls B and F.
That quote in the headline is the assessment of ASA First Vice President Jeffrey S. Plagenhoef, M.D., as he urged all ASA members to submit their comments in support of the nation’s Veterans, whose care is being threatened by the coming VHA Nursing Handbook.
The Nursing Handbook will mandate independent practice of all APRNs, including nurse anesthetists, in VA hospitals, removing the requirement of physician-led care for one of the most vulnerable patient populations.
Jeffrey S. Plagenhoef, M.D.: ‘Regardless of what you’re focusing on at the meeting, this issue is more important.’
But there is time to act, Dr. Plagenhoef said, and it’s easy to do, especially on site at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2015 annual meeting.
Located in the Sails Pavilion and next to halls B and F, these kiosks allow you to instantly submit your personalized message to VA. Share how you made a difference in diagnosing, evaluating and addressing a medical emergency or complication to save a life. Tell VA that Veterans tend to be sicker and may have multiple conditions that put them at even greater risk for complications during surgery.
2016 ASA President Daniel J. Cole, M.D.: ‘About 50 percent of my talk to the House of Delegates this year focused on the VA Nursing Handbook. It’s the most important issue we face right now. It’s an issue we cannot lose — and I expect us to win.’
Visit www.safevacare.org/
You can visit this website at any time on any device to submit comments in support of our nation’s Veterans. The entire submission process can be performed in just a couple minutes.
Tell everyone you know, then tell them to tell everyone they know
“This is literally hand-to-hand marketing,” insisted Dr. Plagenhoef. “You need to take your partner, your co-workers, your friends, medical students, by the hand and lead them to a computer. This is the only way we’re going to make this happen.”
ASA member Brian Mitchell, M.D., from VA Portland/Oregon Health & Science University, is proud to wear his ‘I Protected Safe VA Care’ ribbon.
Dr. Plagenhoef and the other members of the ASA Committee on Governmental Affairs were confident that involvement in this issue will feed upon itself, that the energy of the movement will increase exponentially when members see others getting involved.
Please do your part to add to the momentum. Don’t delay in acting on an issue that will have profound effects on our Veterans, and ultimately the practice of anesthesiology.
Visit www.SafeVACare.org.
