Posted on Oct 1, 2015
Smart phone ban:Isolated incident or just another 'brick in the wall' of a crumbling program?
4.53K
35
37
4
4
0
"Photographs emerged earlier this week showing official signs at VA medical facilities stating that a veteran would have his or her appointment cancelled if they bring with them a cellphone.
The photos, first published on the blog Disabled Veterans, depict of a list of "prohibited items." Included within that list, along with guns, knives, and backpacks, is a photo of an iPhone.
"If brought to your appointment [these items] will result in the cancelation (sic) of your exam(s)," reads the flyer, which bears the VA's official logo and slogan, "Defining Excellence in the 21st Century."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/01/va-apologizes-for-ill-advised-ban-on-veterans-cellphones/?intcmp=hplnws
The photos, first published on the blog Disabled Veterans, depict of a list of "prohibited items." Included within that list, along with guns, knives, and backpacks, is a photo of an iPhone.
"If brought to your appointment [these items] will result in the cancelation (sic) of your exam(s)," reads the flyer, which bears the VA's official logo and slogan, "Defining Excellence in the 21st Century."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/01/va-apologizes-for-ill-advised-ban-on-veterans-cellphones/?intcmp=hplnws
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Technology
Medical
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
1
1
0
Not well thought out it seems. Interestingly VA themselves issue IPODs and similar devices to TBI veterans to help them remember important issues, like appointments. They are taught as is their spouse or caregiver to enter reminders into the device with will alarm/vibrate so that it helps the veteran to remember important issues, like taking meds or attending to an appointment. And if it's not issued by VA, VA providers instruct these veterans to use their phones. So if a clerk happens to see from a far a veteran looking at their device is this then cause for cancellation? Dumb.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
I am a member of Ben Kraus's Disabled Veterans FaceBook group and blog. He puts out some very valuable info. But his "job" is to put out at least one negative story a day and keep selling his book.
The way it is couched in that group is that VA wanted the phones gone so patients could not record their exams (which has proven very valuable in appeals).
My bet is it was that one clinic in Golden creating a policy, which was overturned by VHA as soon as they knew about it.
I am a member of Ben Kraus's Disabled Veterans FaceBook group and blog. He puts out some very valuable info. But his "job" is to put out at least one negative story a day and keep selling his book.
The way it is couched in that group is that VA wanted the phones gone so patients could not record their exams (which has proven very valuable in appeals).
My bet is it was that one clinic in Golden creating a policy, which was overturned by VHA as soon as they knew about it.
(1)
(0)
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
I would not have thought to record my visits in the event of an appeal. Thanks for the tip! I hope other vets weigh in on their VA 'no cellphones allowed' experiences, if any.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Is this for real? This reads like an Onion post...
0
0
0
SPC Nick Lai
MSG Floyd Williams - I often have appointments at the VA hospital, by going through the guard, you have to have everything out of the pockets, with the iPhone in the little container they provided, the VA guards didn't said anything about the iPhone.
(1)
(0)
MSG Floyd Williams
SPC Nick Lai - The VA at my location don't have their guards checking anyone, we walk in and walk out. If you are driving just show your Military or VA Identification Card to the guard at the garage entrance to drive in.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Seems a little over kill. Maybe this is their way of getting people through the system quicker because they know everyone has a cellphone.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Just another example of the VA exceeding the reasonable bounds of common sense. My question is what are our homeless Vets suppose to do now.....leave all their belonging in the lobby?.....just saying I have a car I can lock my bag and phone up in.....most of them don't......anyway just more mass stupidity.
Suspended Profile
Of course the picture just shows a smart phone......so can i bring my old flip phone.....lol
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
CPL Doug Hill, BS-CJ, MS-CJ - Yes, you're liable to read about yet another VA fail while waiting hours to be seen for 15 minutes...can't have that!
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google