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Health care services expand for Kansas veterans
Fort Scott, Kan. -- The Eastern Kansas Health Care System VA Medical Center in Topeka has branched out to make health care for veterans in the local area more accessible.
A Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic, which opened in July of 2000 in Fort Scott, makes it possible for residents in the local area to receive much needed medical care without being required to travel extensively.
Even though the Fort Scott clinic, 902 S. Horton, has been operational for several years, local veteran Gene DuVall said many veterans in the local area still do not know the program is available close to home. DuVall said he is thankful for the clinic as it can sometimes be difficult for veterans in the local area to make the journey to Topeka every time they need medical care.
"It's being used now some, but there are so many who still don't know about it. They have helped me out quite a bit," DuVall said. "We never had a clinic like this in Fort Scott. A lot of older veterans didn't have cars or didn't like to drive to Topeka. So, they just gave up. There were a lot of them that needed services and wasn't getting them in this area. It (clinic) is a big benefit especially to veterans who need services."
When the CBOC first became available to residents in the local area, the clinic was only open a couple of days per week. However, in August of 2008, the clinic opened its doors five days per week, according to Kim Waller of Eastern Kansas Health Care System. The expansion of the local CBOC was partially due to the amount of need in the local area, Waller said.
"It was just based on the need," Waller said. "There was a need based on the number of veterans in and around Fort Scott."
According to Waller, the CBOC provides a variety of services from primary care to mental health services to veterans in the local and surrounding areas. Telehealth is just one way the CBOC is able to provide its patients with the latest in technology and the best health care possible, Waller said.
"Care Coordination Home Telehealth is a mechanism by which veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System can actively participate in the management of their health care," written information provided by Waller said. "Utilizing a messaging telemonitor, the care coordinator reviews the veteran's responses; provides education on the veteran's disease; and facilitates medication, behavior and symptom management."
According to the written information provided by Waller, using Telehealth helps decrease emergency room visits, hospitalizations and unscheduled appointments. In addition to Telehealth, Waller said the CBOC will be using Telemedicine services, which will allow a licensed independent health care provider direct, diagnose and provide clinical treatment using an electronic communications device and information technology.
In addition, the clinic is preparing to implement a new weight loss program for veterans. The program will offer support for weight loss and nutrition, according to Waller. Also, in the future, the clinic has plans to begin offering its patients podiatry services.
According to Waller, the technologically advanced care that will be offered at the CBOC will help provide an even greater array of services for the veterans in the surrounding area.
"I think in many ways, that is the way of the future for our patients," Waller said. "We are trying to learn more and get it implemented. Fort Scott is approximately two and one half hours away from Topeka. We wanted to offer more services closer ... Some people work, and a five-hour round-trip is too difficult."
Even though the clinic offers primary care for its veterans, Cristal Horsch, physicians assistant at CBOC, said the amount of services the clinic provides to each veteran varies by need. Because some of the clinic's patients already have a primary physician in the local area, the clinic only provides some services for those patients.
"I really support all the doctors who work in this town," Horsch said. "We have a big number of patients who come once a year to get medications. We don't change or alter. We augment their regular provider. We don't try to take over. We're just providing a resource for them. Everybody is unique in what they need."
According to Horsch, long-time local resident and CBOC head nurse Marianne Crane is an instrumental member of the clinic's staff.
"When the patient comes in, she (Crane) doesn't see a blood pressure," Horsch said. "She sees the whole picture. She knows their whole history. She knows their life's details. This provides an optimum of health care when a person can go see this kind of provider. I'm really proud of our place."
According to Waller, the CBOC also has a traveling team of professionals who visit some of the other towns in the local area, providing needed medical services. For more information about the services provided or to inquire about service eligibility, call (620) 223-8655.
"Anyone who is interested can stop by and obtain the information," Waller said. "The staff are very accommodating and willing to accept new patients if the veteran is eligible for care. We're there for the veterans. Anyway we can help. We're glad to."