Improved Secure Messaging

[Ga dancer]

I used Secure Messaging to contact my PCP in the clinic to reorder a blood pressure med script that had expired, and she replied to me within a couple of hours!! She ordered the med and told me to call the neurology clinic to reorder Betaseron, also which expired.

So I looked at my appointment schedule (blue button download for your information) and on there was the 4 digit extension directly to the neuro clinic. I have had problems previously with the administrative staff dragging their feet getting back to me with definitive information and had discussed it with my doc, who is wonderful. He said they have been working on improving communication.

Well, I heard back from the neuro clinic within a couple of hours that it was ordered.

What is really exciting is that there is a drop down box on secure messaging (new) with many of the specialists I use. I haven't needed to contact pulmonary, ophthalmology or pain clinic yet so I don't know if the secure messaging service will be any good.

I hope for those of you vets who have had poor response from your VA treatment that secure messaging improves functioning. If not, please complain that in Atlanta it is working and needs to work elsewhere.

IT IS THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF VIET NAM SERVICE. I want to shout out to honor those Viet Nam vets who served with dignity.

[Scooter24]

GA dancer, tried it last night after reading your post, sent msg to ENT and GP clinics asking for appt for 6 month follow up appt, recvd answer this am from both clinics. So it appears Salisbury NC is up and running also.

[Sailors Song]

I'm beginning to think I'm going to the worst VA in the country. The last time I used the secure messaging with my PC it wasn't read by anyone for 1 week.

[gomer]

I have used secure messaging TWICE to my pcp months ago. NEVER got a single reply, YET! I have no idea if she ever read them and gave up.

Sailor... all I can say is, don't hold your breath!

Maybe your VA and mine are in w contest to see who can be the worst?

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Sailors Song]

Gomer,

Actually I'm not sure my PCP ever read the secure message or not. The reply I got was from her nurse telling me that the subject I asked about would be discussed at my next appointment (2 weeks later). When I brought up the topic during the appointment my PCP got mad at me for bringing it up. So I suspect she never read my message.

PS if you open up the sent messages folder it indicates the status of the message being read or not.

Dennis

[gomer]

Sailor...

Yes...BUT, all that means is some opened and or read it, may or may not be your doctor or the person it was intended for.

Gmer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Ga dancer]

What a travesty that it is not working well for others. I had a BP med change and had to come back to clinic for a nurse check of my BP. Clinic was overrun, but all were there to see the doctors. Apparently there was only one nurse, my appointment was for 11 am and she must have gone to lunch.

At 12:30 and I was still waiting for a nurse check for my BP which was probably sky high from frustration, I waited in a line for 15 minutes just to tell the desk person I was leaving.

I took my BP for several days, at different times, and secure messaged my doctor. I explained why I left the clinic. I received a reply, from the doctor, to keep monitoring my BP for at least another week and give her the results.

I love this ability and the great response from my doctor. I should not have waited so long at the clinic for a BP check, but the nurses at the VA just signed a new contract. (They are unionized). Oh, well.

I want to emphasize the cost savings for both patients and the VA to be able to take care of needs through this message service. If your VA is sub par, please try to get your VA to improve.