Vulnerable patients high priority during hurricane season

Nine months removed from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, Bay Pines VA continues to strengthen its readiness and response efforts to support Veterans as the possibility of inclement weather strengthens for this year’s hurricane season in southwest Florida.

A mock incident command exercise presented an opportunity to test Bay Pines VA’s coordination and outreach communications for Veterans identified as part of the vulnerable population.

“When the effects of severe weather forecast for a loss of electricity, flooding and barriers to transportation prevent receiving treatment, it’s our responsibility to let those Veterans and their loved ones know we’re here to help,” said Melissa Wallach, lead for Emergency Management during the exercise.

Vulnerable Veteran population

Across VA, Veterans identified as part of a vulnerable population include those receiving services as support in the following areas:

• Dialysis
• Spinal cord injury
• Home-based primary care
• Home oxygen
• Homecare
• Homeless Veterans
• Mental health
• Nursing homes
• Oncology
• Telehealth

Following the exercise, a determination was made to also include expecting women Veterans who have high-risk pregnancy concerns.

“Veterans, families and caregivers entrust us with their health care needs, and it remains our goal to reinforce their confidence and trust in us during hurricane season,” said Bay Pines VA associate director Sean Turner, who also served as incident commander for the exercise. “What we have done here today is beneficial to refining our processes and codifying our roles and responsibilities. I am pleased with the team we have and their commitment to one another and those we serve.”

Bay Pines VA reached out to selected Veterans who are part of the vulnerable population and informed them of the upcoming exercise.

Encourage Veterans to use VEText

“The use of VEText continues to be a reliable way for us to easily communicate with Veterans, whether it be appointment reminders, pharmacy refills or emergency situations like what we’re testing through this exercise,” added Turner. “Veterans can opt-in or out of VEText at any time, but we strongly encourage them to consider this means of communication as essential to our efforts of supporting their health care journey with us.”

Observing the exercise was National Project Manager Jon Esteban, who complimented the team and cited best practices he plans to elevate throughout VA.

“Bay Pines VA is usually at the forefront of initiatives and innovation, and it’s great to see this team in action. What I saw here today is this team remaining mindful of taking key points from those in charge and working together to define the wants and needs of those we serve as part of the exercise.”

Hurricane season in Florida is June through the end of November. Last month, NOAA stated, “We’re expecting a busy season with 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine of which could become hurricanes and one to four of those storms becoming major hurricanes.”

Bay Pines VA has begun sharing important reminders about hurricane season and the steps Veterans, employees, family members and caregivers can take to stay informed and prepared before an official announcement of a hurricane becomes imminent.