VA Health Connect triage nurses respond to general health concerns, acute symptoms, and chronic condition flare-ups
It all started when an 80-year-old Veteran called VA Health Connect to say that his home health aide hadn’t shown up in a while. He was worried that he might take too many pills.
It turned out, too, that his house was being condemned due to structural problems and an infestation. And his emergency contact—his son—had passed away the year before.
Hearing the concern, confusion and deep loneliness in his voice, the VA Health Connect clinical triage nurse knew he needed someone now and arranged a wellness check. The authorities not only responded, but they also confirmed that he was okay and brought him food.
Clinical triage through VA Health Connect
When you call VA Health Connect, a VA nurse will talk to you about your symptoms or health concerns over the phone and guide you through a brief clinical assessment; in other words, they will ask you a handful of specific questions designed to determine the right care for you.
Based on your conversation, they’ll determine the level of urgency and guide you on the appropriate next steps for care. Available 24/7 nationwide, clinical triage is one of four services provided by VA Health Connect. To access the service, all you need to do is call your VA medical facility and press #3.
“The more you tell us,” said Pamela Calhoun, assistant chief nurse for clinical triage, “the better our recommendations for care will be. Each one of our nurses brings unique strengths, sound judgment and the ability to make fast and safe decisions.”
When to call us
Reach out any time you’re experiencing new, changing or concerning symptoms. No health concern or question is too small. Sometimes what feels like a minor issue can be an early sign of something more serious. It’s always better to check-in with a clinical triage nurse than to wait.
VA can address concerns ranging from acute symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or sudden changes in mental health, to chronic condition flare-ups. You can also call us if you have general health concerns or are unsure where to seek care.
“Knowing I can call and talk to a nurse any time of day or night takes away a lot of worry,” said one Veteran who called VA Health Connect.
Clinical experience counts
VA Health Connect clinical triage nurses truly understand Veterans and their unique health care needs. They come from a wide range of nursing specialties including emergency care, primary care, mental health and critical care.
That broad experience is one of VA’s greatest strengths, providing you with safe, timely decisions that are especially key when we don’t see you face-to-face.
About VA Health Connect
Visit the VA Health Connect page to learn more and find your local number.
VA Health Connect also provides Veterans enrolled in VA health care with pharmacy services (hours vary based on location), appointment scheduling, clinical triage (to speak to a registered nurse) and virtual care appointments.
As always, during a medical emergency, immediately call 911.
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I don’t see the nurse’s hotline number to call. All of the other data shown is useless if there isn’t a phone number to call
I cannot get into “Myhealthyvet”
NEED TO BE CONNECTED WIHT WOMAN CLINCI, RECENT BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR
My Triage NURSE a Saint. I called on a Sunday evening after “pasta at Mom’s”…chills/cold on 80 degree day. Not my normal Sunday. She recommended me to local er, which I did. Taking my meds as prescribed…but She was there for me even on a normal Sunday after “pasta at Mom’s” ! I just wanted to thank HER and all in my VA care. (saved me again)… Love.
I have used the triage nurse a few times over the years. They are knowledgeable and helpful.
I just re-read the above article. It clearly says:
“To access the service, all you need to do is call your VA medical facility and press #3”.
What’s the phone number? I agree, posting an article about a 24/7 benefit without including a phone number sounds like the most important item was left out of the article. So I clicked the link above for “VA Health Connect” and I see this in the linked article:
“Call or chat with VA Health Connect 24/7/365
If you’re enrolled in VA health care, you can call your local VA medical center and select 1 for pharmacy, 2 for scheduling or 3 to speak with a nurse who can refer you tele-emergency care if needed. You can also download the VA Health Chat app.”
So it looks like you just call your local VA Medical Center and select option 3 to go to a triage nurse?
I used this service for a medical concern I had. It was not emergent, and I did not think it was urgent either, but after discussing it with the nurse on duty, I was instructed to visit the nearest VA ER. Got the ball rolling from there. Cleared up a ton of concerns with this valuable service.
Hey guys, read the article. You have to do a little work. It says “Visit the VA Health Connect page to learn more and find your local number.”
That VA Connect is great, at least in theory. What happens when you continually keep cancelling appointments because of Disorders that get so bad you came to dead stop on a major freeway at rush hour and had the good fortune to have a Highway Patrol Officer be right there to help you get off it. And then, aside from MS you also developed CRPS and it spread full body including eyes. I have to call University of Bern Rare Neurological Disease Dept. Why? While I have been lucky enough to have most Doctors do Video or Phone appointments it’s not always. I need a Podiatrist and Dermatologist to remove Basal Cell Carcinomas by the Dermatologist. The sad thing is most Doctors in the US know nothing about CRPS. Many nothing at all or so they’ve said.
This service is Outstanding.
I’ve used it a few times when I couldn’t
connect with my Primary Team.
It is a team of VA health people.
One way or the other, you will get help.
Super, super people. I am very grateful.
Each day I’m reminded of just how much the VA cares for me and I appreciate all the men & women focused on my care and those who support the medical professionals !
Thank You All for your service to me & all Veterans !
That’s really good to know, thank you!
I need health connection nurse!
Is there a preferred number to call to reach the 24/7 triage nurse?
This is a wonderful service to be aware of; but I have the information written down should I need to call–Thankful for the informative email
Call us 24/7 you say for triage but what is the number for triage? I don’t see it listed.
I used one of the nurses and they were very helpful, and most of all solved my problem. It’s good to know you can reach them at any time in a 24-hour period. thanks for all your help,
I’m 90 years old.I depend on VA and believe I, T minimum get the best medical care of anyone I know. But, I know I am beginning to “slip.” This will help Great deal. I’m pasteing your number on my phone. Thanks! Willis Wamsley
I have used the VA health Connect and it does work. The nurses I have conferred with r very knowledgeable, and they ask the right questions. U may end up going to your local Er or your local VA clinic with a referral. If u do not use it u lose it.
This is very good news to know, I think this information about availability for health care is available for us veterans 24/7 need to be more widespread (advertisements). All veterans do not read online Veteran News.
In addition, speaking for myself, I will no longer think my only option is to visit a urgent care, this would cut down cost by Not visiting a Urgent Care and needing to charge Tricare/Medicare.
You should include the phone number in the article
Telephone number?