VA mandatory rules for testing...

[RED]

Here they are:



I think that is over the top and self serving (it cuts down on their numbers of tests). If you live alone, are homeless, displaced, or in an assisted living situation, who are you going to get to drive you? Why won't they let you use a cab or the DAV? Why not keep you overnight? There are a lot of Vets unable to get or can't afford somebody that will commit to be at your disposal all day on a date six weeks from now. They of course say it is for your own safety... but it is OK to die of undiagnosed cancer, etc.

The last one of these I had, the appointment was at 07:30 and I was not released until 14:30.

[Tommy]

Red, did we ever fly with a self induced medical condition from the night before? Made it then, we can make it now, just clear the duty runway, and clear me for the approach.

PS: 100% O2 setting on the ddr.

Tommy

[Mark in Ottawa]

In some cases a patient can be pretty weak or drowsy after a test or may be suffering from the effects of medication taken as part of the test. These precautions are to protect the patient in case they faint or suffer from other serious after-effects. Your point about having them stay overnight is well taken but an alternative solution might be to have a hospital worker or hospital volunteer escort the patient home - a practical and much less expensive solution

I have just gone through a bit of this myself after my knee surgery two weeks ago. The hospital made sure that I was being taken home by my wife and was not on my own.

[leftyo]

they dont want you killing yourself, or some innocent person on the road. rides can usually be arranged thru the county veterans office.

[gwp]

Last month I was given a colonoscopy at the VA with similar instructions. My daughter arranged a half a day off. We arrived 45 minutes early for an eight AM appointment. I was assigned a doctor and at 8:45 I asked why people with 8:30 appointments were called back and I was not. They said they assigned me a doctor but he was late. I was called back at 8:55 and left in an examination room for 45 minutes more before I was moved to the procedure room. During the procedure I woke up so they gave me a larger dose of anesthesia that put me out till just before noon. I left the hospital groggy but I was fine in an hour or so. My daughter took the entire day off and she said she that she would make arrangements to be off a full day the next time she is required to drive me.

Next month I will have at least an overnight visit to have my femur pinned and screwed due to bone cancer. The same driver requirement is in effect for the procedure and release from the hospital. I am going to tell them that I will not be able to have a driver to take me home until she finishes work.

[RED]

they dont want you killing yourself, or some innocent person on the road. rides can usually be arranged thru the county veterans office.

No, you cant they don't qualify. You have to have somebody accompany you to the test sign papers and then wait until the test is over and sign for your release. The last time I had to offer to pay somebody $250 to be there. Read the form:

IF YOU MUST TAKE A DAV, TAXI, OR CITY BUS, YOU STILL MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT. IF NOT THE TEST WILL BE CANCELLED...

[leftyo]

i can read just fine. most of those volunteers will stay if asked. maybe due to your charming personallity they wont, but for the average person they will normally!

[RED]

The "volunteers" that live nearby maybe but they have routines, a bus driver can't leave his bus sitting idle as he sits around for 5 or 6 hours. Also try to find a volunteer that will guarantee you they will be available from 0600 t0 1400 on Monday Dec. 11. I went that route only to have the volunteer back out the day before the appointment... not his fault his wife was sick. It is not a simple task when you live 60 miles from the hospital to find someone that can give up a day's pay to help a stranger.

Then there is the why they won't allow you to rent a hotel room and get a taxi to the hospital. Or, why don't they have a room with 3 or 4 beds where they can monitor patients for 8 - 10 hours. It is not like you are getting surgery. You get a shot to you relax, but you are not under anesthesia. I had a colonoscopy and swapped fishing stories with the nurse all the while. You can't talk during a upper GI scope but you are never asleep and can immediately walk and would have no problem riding on a bus or a taxi.

"For your own safety," is BS and the same line the cops use when they handcuff somebody while they write a ticket. How many vets have died because they couldn't obey the VA's Mickey Mouse rules for critical tests??

[bruce]

Don't like it, but I don't blame the VA. The very first time they ever have a patient get out and then screw up, then everybody and their uncle would be suing the VA and the doctors involved, etc. for whatever they thought they could get out of them for negligence, etc., etc., etc. Everyone wants to have healthcare that is cheap, available, and of course tailored to their exact preferences. It just doesn't work like that. Perhaps a better system would be to simply eliminate the VA hospitals. Give veterans a card and tell them to go to the local hospitals... just like everyone does with insurance. That way a man could shop around and go where he wanted to go and get the service he wanted ... rather than having to take what he could get from a "govt. hospital." JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

[gwp]

I have received very good care from the VA including heart surgery and cancer treatment. Several times I was disappointed with individual staff members but the the care I received was always good.

[Former Cav]

I STAY away from them.
I've had a 100% FAILURE rate in dealing with them for 49 years straight NOW!
They just screwed up my comp rating and now I got a VSO on their a$$es again.