Va providers unlock new capabilities in ultrasound care | va charleston health care | veterans affairs

Providers at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System underwent specialty training that has unlocked new care options for Veterans in the Lowcountry this January. In the pursuit of

ensuring Veterans have the most up-to-date care possible, representatives from the Swedish-based company, Surgical Science, have used the Ultrasound Simbionix Mentor system to train VA

providers on new techniques in ultrasound examinations and interventions. The specific techniques covered in this training pertained to pregnancy imaging and thoracentesis procedures. With

the growing need for ultrasound training among the medical specialties, training events allow for specialists and equipment experts to come to the VA and share their knowledge for the

betterment of Veterans health care. This training was part of the VA policy of maintaining expertise on the latest technology and standards. It also supports the VA initiative of using new

technology to innovate and find solutions to clinical problems. “High fidelity simulation in health care is a useful tool for both the novice and expert,” Jonathan Trollinger, VA certified

registered nurse anesthetist at the RHS VA HCS. “Simulation allows participants to make mistakes safely, learn from those mistakes, and avoid harm to patients.” The VHA Innovation Ecosystem

leads the VA in training employees on emerging technologies. The VHA IE holds the mission of becoming “the catalyst for enabling the discovery and spread of mission-driven health care

innovation to advance care delivery and service that exceeds expectations, restores hope, and builds trust within the Veteran community.” VHA IE is comprised of three core portfolios that

work together to identify, mature, and diffuse innovations across the country. INNOVATORS NETWORK: Growing a community of employees whose innovations enhance Veteran healthcare. By taking a

ground-up approach and empowering employees, Innovators Network identifies some of VA’s greatest challenges then develops Veteran-centric solutions. DIFFUSION OF EXCELLENCE: Identifying and

disseminating clinical and operational Promising Practices that standardize enterprise-wide health care improvement initiatives. NATIONAL CENTERS FOR INNOVATION TO IMPACT: Collaborating

broadly with industry, other government agencies, academia, and throughout VA to create far-reaching positive impact for our Veterans with cutting-edge technologies that enable VHA’s

mission. With events like the Ultrasound Simbionix Mentor System technology training bringing industry standard technology into the VA to enable best care practices, VHA IE principles have

attributed to the over $5-million Veterans impacted and over 150 VA facilities engaged for the better. These principles have saved over $75-million dollars as more and VA employees run their

work centers with the mindset of “growing with technology and innovative solutions.”