For Veterans battling cancer, time is precious. At Dallas VA, one nurse is leading the charge to reduce what medical experts call “time toxicity,” the hours spent traveling, waiting and receiving care that can take a toll on patients and their families.
“Our Veterans diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) were waiting three to four hours before they could receive blood or platelets. That was too long,” said Mary David, North Texas VA hematology-oncology nurse who has served Veterans at Dallas VA for 19 years. “Some patients need one or two transfusions per week and those hours add up quickly.”
MDS prevents the body from making healthy blood cells, requiring frequent transfusions. The traditional process meant multiple stops and needle sticks, first to the lab for blood work, then waiting for results before finally receiving treatment.
Time better spent at home
Jimmy Whitt, 77, a Marine Corps Veteran who served four years in supply, knows firsthand how demanding the old process was. “This used to require me to come in three or four days a week for about four hours each of those days. I was spending more time at VA than I was at home it felt like.”
David and her fellow hematology-oncology nurses knew there had to be a better way. They developed a streamlined process where Veterans now go directly to the clinic for their blood draw and treatment in one location.
“Now I come in at seven, go straight to the clinic, enjoy my homemade coffee and wait for my blood. I feel like a VIP. These ladies are doing a great job,” Whitt said, who is pictured above with David.
Making a real difference
The improvement is part of Dallas VA’s commitment to Veteran-centered care that values both medical outcomes and quality of life. By eliminating unnecessary wait times and procedures, nurses are helping Veterans spend less time in treatment and more time living their lives.
“The staff here cared enough to listen and get me and Veterans in a similar situation like me in and out by streamlining the process so I can spend more time living life and less time receiving treatments,” Whitt added.
“We want to erase the old ‘hurry up and wait’ perception,” said David. “Our Veterans deserve care that respects both their health needs and their time.”
The success of this initiative demonstrates how VA nurses continue finding innovative ways to improve the Veteran experience one patient, one process and one day at a time.
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Have been getting cancer treatments at Houston Onocology for 11 years. The Onocology infusion unit at Houston is the best run department in the entire V A. The staff is well trained and caring as well as experts at what they do.
The folks at the Houston Onocology infusion are wonderful! I have had 52 infusions over 11 years and have always had expert, thoughtful caring treatment. Best department in the V A!
Hopefully this level of cancer care will spread to the rest of Texas soon. When a Vet can get told they “most likely” have cancer in early Feb and does not have a follow up appointment with a Dr scheduled a month later because the Dr refuses to see the Vet is unacceptable. Instead the Dr makes the care decisions and has someone at the VA pass them along to the Vet. Decisions made without the Vet. That’s cancer care in other Texas VA’s.
Several years ago, the wait in the Dallas VA pharmacy line to get your meds took 2 to 3 hours. I watched as fellow vets stood in the long line and grumbled.
Someone noticed and did something about it. Pharmacy overhauled the way prescriptions are processed and we seldom wait 20 minutes now. Usually, it’s shorter.
I appreciate that this medical center appreciates our time enough to invest serious resources to making care more efficient.
I am so proud of our infusion nurses!! As an oncology social worker at the VA, the Veterans are telling me how much better the wait time is. What a difference they are making for the Veterans we serve in oncology!!
The v.a. started out treatments for my cancer good but lately it seems that they don’t care
Hi, VA: Currently being treated on a VA Referral at a major hospital in Central Texas. Do labs about every 3 weeks and two days later get the injections of Aranasep. Been doing this for about a year. Some improvement. Don’t know if just “Some” is good or not, how fast improvement should be, is expected to be.. No other treatments, platelets, infusions. Any advice, concerns? Thanks
I am a RN and find this story so compelling!! Mary is one of the Nurses who make me proud of being in this profession!!
May God continue to bless you Ma’am!!
Great job!! I am very proud of my fellow nurses in making this process a little less time consuming…
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