WEARING ALL-STAR SHOES - Boise VA Medical Center
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WEARING ALL-STAR SHOES
The past year has put us all to the test and we have risen to the challenge with compassion,
dedication, resourcefulness, and innovation. The employees and volunteers of the Boise
VA Medical Center have worked tirelessly to stop and slow the spread of the COVID19
virus, care for those who contracted the virus, and to support our community.
Over the next several months this series in the Boise Front will highlight
and acknowledge the contributions of individual staff members and the
collective efforts of work units as they applied their expertise in response
to this crisis. We will recognize the teams that made these efforts
successful, and the MVP’s (most valuable players) on those teams
who went above and beyond the call of duty. Please enjoy.
Infectious Disease Prevention and trace infected VA employees, which helped
Control Led by Dr. Nicholas Vietri and to limit the spread in the early days of the
Mary ‘Micki’ Gillis pandemic. Almost all of the staff members
who contracted COVID-19 went to Ms. Gillis
Before the World Health Organization for guidance and she provided a calming
declared a global health emergency the presence to employees. Ms. Gillis had this
Infection Prevention and Control teams to say “In the beginning people were really
worked together to provide updates on scared. I am most proud that I helped
the status of the outbreak. Dr. Vietri served people get through a really tough time and
as the infectious disease authority and I feel honored that I could do that for my VA
expertly answered questions for colleagues. family”.
Dr. Vietri and Ms. Gillis worked together
to develop education, scripts, and station Dr. Vietri developed clinical protocols
policies for testing and return to work to ensure the Boise VA Medical Center
criteria. provided the best care to patients
diagnosed with COVID19. When the
Infection Control also ensured enough PPE State Veterans Home experienced a large
would be procured to protect staff as the outbreak Dr. Vietri was instrumental in
virus rapidly spread throughout the world. coordinating the administration of off
As the global shortage of PPE worsened, brand Remdesivir ensuring veterans
Ms. Gillis worked with Sterile Processing and benefited from the best treatment option
Industrial Hygiene to establish guidelines available. His guidance and actions
for disinfection and reuse of N95 masks prevented hospitalizations, which in turn
using ultraviolet light disinfection. protected the local health care system. Dr.
Vietri has continued to support COVID19
When it was determined that the virus had operations throughout the pandemic and
spread to Idaho Dr. Vietri and Ms. Gillis led is now involved in vaccination efforts as
prevention efforts by providing critical an educator providing information on the
education on best practices to stop the risks/benefits of the vaccine.
spread. Ms. Gillis said that in the beginning
no one had a full understanding of the Thank you Dr. Vietri and Ms. Gillis for the
infection and it was spreading rapidly. As dedication and leadership provided during
the first cases were identified in Idaho Ms. this unprecedented time.
Gillis collaborated with representatives
from Central District Health to contract
March COVID Vaccine Updates
By Jeanette Berry, RN
Since the Boise VA Vaccine Clinic opened just over 3 months ago avoiding large crowds, physically distancing 6 feet from others,
on December 22, the vaccine team has administered 19,0001 and cleaning high-touch surfaces frequently. Remember that
doses: 10,611 Moderna first doses, 8,390 Moderna second doses, while the vaccines assist with preventing severe infection, you
and 698 Janssen doses. The clinic started off in Building 88 in still could potentially be a carrier and infect other people with
the CLC rehab gym thanks to PM&R, and then the clinic this disease that is spread through droplets and through the air.
demand rapidly grew requiring additional space, so the team We can beat this pandemic through more people being
transitioned to the Building 54 Mountain Cove Gym in January. vaccinated and continuing vigilant precautions to protect our
On average, the facility is vaccinating around 1,400 doses per fellow community members.
week. We have vaccinated 33% of our Veteran population to
Currently Scheduling
date!
The Boise VA Vaccine Clinic is currently scheduling all age
The clinic has also built processes to make a safe patient
groups of enrolled Veterans, including 8E and 8G enrollment
environment, especially on days where there are two types of
levels. Veterans can call 208-422-1499 to be scheduled.
vaccine in clinic. The vaccine supply started off with Moderna,
and in March Janssen was approved for Emergency Use Save Lives Act
Authorization. While the supply chain continues to be
unpredictable, we have established a stable supply of Moderna On March 24th the President signed into law Bill 1276, the SAVE
to cover vaccine clinic needs and have been able to obtain LIVES Act, which expands the VA’s ability to offer COVID
Janssen for the rural mass vaccination clinics. We are still vaccines to a newly eligible population including eligible
unable to guarantee Veterans the choice of which vaccine we will Veterans, Veteran spouses, and VA caregivers. For those
be able to offer in clinic due to the supply chain. Boise VA has interested in eligibility, please call the Vaccine Clinic scheduling
been offered very limited shipments of Janssen vaccine so far. line at 208-422-1499.
Overall, we are excited for both these excellent vaccine options CBOCs
which have been effective at preventing severe COVID disease
where patients would require hospitalization, trials showing Certain CBOCs are open for vaccinations to Veterans who are
95% effectiveness for Moderna and 86% effectiveness for enrolled in care at that local CBOC. Veterans are encouraged to
Janssen. contact the CBOC directly to schedule. Caldwell CBOC is
currently open to all age groups. Mountain Home has had
Continue COVID Precautions limited interest and is currently decreasing appointments. Twin
Our team would like to remind our staff and our Veterans that Falls CBOC is still restricted to 65+ age group. We hosted a Mass
even if you have completed your vaccination series, we still Vaccination Clinic at the Eastern Oregon CBOC in March and
advise you to continue with COVID precautions, including are preparing for Twin Falls CBOC to host a Mass Vaccination
wearing a mask around others covering your mouth and nose, clinic on April 10th. With the Salmon CBOC, we are grateful for
Steele Memorial Hospital where most Veterans have received
their vaccinations. As VA is required to continue with the 2 hours at room temperature. Again, these vaccine options are
priority groups of enrolled Veterans first, currently none of the both excellent at preventing severe COVID infection.
CBOCs are open to scheduling for the Save Lives Act.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Brief Information About the Two Vaccines
The vaccine is recommended for almost everyone! Those who
The two vaccines given by the Boise VA have a few differences have had an anaphylactic (severe allergic reaction) to a prior
but are both safe and effective. The Moderna is an mRNA mRNA vaccine OR polyethylene glycol (PEG) are recommended
vaccine, Janssen (AKA Johnson and Johnson or J&J) is an to NOT receive the Moderna vaccine, but rather directed to
adenovirus vector vaccine. The Moderna mRNA vaccine uses a receive Janssen. Meanwhile, if you have had an anaphylactic
lipid (fat) capsule to enter your cells to deliver the mRNA coding (severe allergic reaction) to polysorbate-80, you are advised
for the Spike Protein. An adenovirus vector is where an NOT to receive Janssen, but rather directed in this case to
adenovirus is modified to enter your cell with the DNA receive the Moderna vaccine. Polysorbate is an ingredient in
instructions for the Spike Protein. The DNA is converted into multiple vaccines and injectable medications.
mRNA within your cells. Adenoviruses are a type of virus
Even if you have had prior COVID, it is still recommended that
usually associated with the common cold. These vaccine options
you receive the vaccine. CDC estimates that the body most
do NOT include live viral COVID and will NOT give you COVID.
effectively hosts antibodies to protect against COVID.
Rather, the vaccine contents enter your cells to unravel the
Therefore, vaccination is recommended around than the 90-day
coding instructions (mRNA) to create the Spike protein. The
window after a positive test result. You could also be vaccinated
Spike protein is what COVID uses to hook on to your cell to start
within that 90-day window, but may experience more side
the infection process. Rather than your body seeing the entire
effects, as your body could still have antibodies from fighting off
COVID infection from vaccination, it sees the Spike Protein and
the COVID infection. Similarly, if a patient has had COVID and
recognizes that as a foreign body, which triggers the immune
was treated with monoclonal antibodies in that time or with
response. It is normal for you to have some side effects, and can
convalescent plasma, it is advised that around the 90-day mark
be a signal that your immune system is working! The two-dose
after the last dose of treatment to be vaccinated.
Moderna series expected side effects include: injection site
redness and swelling, fatigue, body/joint aches, fever/chills, Different Strains of COVID
headache, sometimes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and
occasionally swollen glands. A high volume of the population We are still pending more information from certain ongoing
had heavier side effects after the second dose of Moderna, trials regarding the vaccine options with the new strains –
generally 2-3 days in total. Janssen tends to have less side however so far CDC is reporting that the vaccine options cover
effects and is a 1-dose vaccine series, including side effects: the evolving strains. We encourage you and your loved ones to
injection site redness and swelling, fatigue, muscle/joint aches, get vaccinated to protect yourselves!
fever/chills, and nausea for a 1 to 3-day window. Both doses Reporting Side Effects
require cold-chain management, where the Moderna vaccine is
stable for 6 hours at room temperature, and the J&J is stable for Please remember when you are notified of a Veteran side effect
that was prolonged or severe after receiving their COVID
vaccine to report it to BOICOVIDVaccineHotline@va.gov. Even Thank you to all the support from our Tetrad, Primary Care,
if you are uncertain if the reaction was directly related to the Pharmacy, Nursing, Infectious Disease, Housekeeping,
vaccine, if they have recently had a dose, please notify our team Employee Health, Emergency Department, PM&R, Education
at the Vaccine Hotline e-mail. The Vaccine Hotline team Department, Public Affairs, Clinical Applications Coordinator:
responds to this notification by entering in the report to VA Colette Manning, Health System Specialist: Paul Vaught, FMS,
Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VA ADERS), which then Logistics, Volunteers, CBOC staff, VISN 20 Clinical Call Center,
gets reported on to the FDA. FDA and CDC have publicly posted VA Police, local EMT community partners, and everyone that
initial information regarding reported COVID vaccine side has contributed. Our Veterans have expressed their thanks and
effects. gratitude for how all these efforts combined for an incredible
vaccine clinic.
All Hands On Deck
Local vaccine team coordinator leadership includes Dr. Lindsay
We are so fortunate to have an amazing team at the Boise VA to
Kaster, Michelle Groves, Erin Martin, and Jeanette Berry.
make this vaccine effort possible. We are so thankful to all of
Thanks to the team for your countless hours of coordination and
you!
leadership!
First and foremost, thank you to the Vaccinators representing
multiple service lines including Primary Care, Specialty
Outpatient Nursing, Inpatient Nursing, Pharmacy, Surgery PAs,
HBPC, and more! Some of the team members have traveled
inside the hospital to assist with vaccinating inpatients when
vaccine is available. Thank you to the outstanding Clinic
Managers who have been the responsible clinician for final call
decisions and responding to clinic needs, and urgent/emergent
situations. We are so grateful to our amazing pharmacy team
who has helped safely prepare and double check all the doses of
our vaccines, helped with transportation, and coordinated
movement with vaccine clinic, HBPC, MHICM, and CLC. Finally
we share a round of applause for the amazing work of HAS
services to Erin Martin and Nick Mark’s team who have been a
major reason for the success of vaccine clinic, assisting the team
with processes, scheduling patients for appointments, providing
recommendations that will work for the entire team in vaccine
clinic, and offering exceptional, empathetic care to our Veterans
and their family members calling in. Our team has been amazing
to work with for daily operations.
The psychology staff at the Boise
VA is top-notch—this is not an
overstatement. Evidence for our
staff’s integrity and work ethic
are found in our annual AES,
which consistently has shown
the psychology service line to be
a cohesive team, focused on our
work and attempting to make
this an even better VA to serve.
Evidence is also found in our
staff’s support of all disciplines
throughout the facility. It is a
strong, cohesive, and supportive
team who genuinely enjoy one
another’s company. Psychology
is present in many areas of the hospital and takes on collateral duties that do not come with additional pay, and often
with no additional allocated time. Now that’s dedication. Psychology has a strong presence in Research and Development,
the Center of Education, Pain Management, Evidence-Based Care, High-Risk review, Measurement-Based Care, National
Consultation on EBPs, Disruptive Behavior Committee, Employee Threat Assessment Team, Developing quarterly CEs
for all Behavioral Health, and the Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee, just to name a few. When you see a
psychologist this week, consider how they help make this VA a great place to work!
Thank you letter to Boise VA Homeless Team!
Social Work Month 2021 This March we celebrate National Professional Social Work Month. The theme, “Social Workers Are Essential,” was chosen by the National Association of Social Workers because Social Workers are essential to community well-being. Social Workers embody the heroic contributions of the Social Work profession to our nation. This especially includes the effort Social Workers have put in to heal our nation during these times of pandemic, racial unrest, economic uncertainty and political divisiveness. This celebration recognizes the work done by countless Social Workers who play a crucial role in our nation’s health care system. They have played a key role in this nation’s response to COVID-19 by helping individuals, families and communities cope with the epidemic. Here at the Boise VA Medical Center, Social Workers are essential for Veterans and families, in many different ways, to focus on improving lives of our Veteran patients. Social Workers provide a wide array of services including therapy and crisis intervention in Integrated Care and the ER, behavioral health clinics, residential treatment, the inpatient psychiatric unit, community based outpatient clinics, and suicide prevention. In addition, Social Workers are key players in discharge planning and case management for Veterans in both inpatient and outpatient medical and behavioral health settings. Social Workers actively assist Veterans and caregivers to access resources that can ease the strain for aging Veterans, help Veterans to better cope with illness, and live their lives with the dignity that they deserve. Social Workers provide current evidence-based treatment to Veterans experiencing PTSD, substance abuse, and other mental health concerns at various levels ranging from outpatient care to residential treatment. They advocate to ensure equal rights for all Veterans accessing care at the Boise VA and in the community. Boise VA Social Workers are involved in many committees across campus, in the community, and volunteer to provide clinical supervision and mentoring to social work interns in order to give back to their field. Social Workers help Veterans and families experiencing homelessness to find safe and suitable housing options. They also provide education and advocacy to Veterans experiencing legal problems. Across all areas and in all facets of the Boise VA, Social Workers are essential for Veterans, in order to promote health and recovery. Please join in celebrating the contributions of social workers during National Social Work Month!
2021 SOFTBALL SEASON HAS STARTED Boise High School’s softball season has started and therefore so have parking restrictions at Mountain Cove. Part of our agreement that allows us to park in the area near the softball field year-round is that we vacate it when it is needed for the players. Therefore, Monday – Friday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM, VA employees are restricted from parking in the area of Mountain Cove parking lot beyond the “yellow line” (see map below). Employees can still park there up until 3:00 PM, but please move your vehicle before 3:00. General parking restrictions around the medical center end at 2:00 PM, so you can move your vehicle after that and not have to worry about parking violations. I realize parking is an issue, especially with the rest of Mountain Cove parking lot being utilized for COVID Vaccine parking, but we have to abide by our agreement with the school as well. (A reminder: the portion of Mountain Cove Road by the Education building & COVID testing is one-way only right now, so you’ll have to exit VA property to get back to the main campus). Thank you for your understanding. VA Police Chief Jason Caffey
MAY 19, 2021
A 2K Walk & Roll TO
SUPPORT HOMELESS
VETERANS & PROMOTE
When: Wednesday 11:00am- 1:00pm
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Where: Parade Grounds (Front of the Hospital)
Why: To collect toilet paper for Homeless Veterans
MAY 19, 2021
MAY 19, 2021
When: Wednesday 11:00am- 1:00pm
Where: Parade Grounds (Front of the Hospital)
Why: To collect toilet paper for Homeless Veterans
Come on out and
take a stroll with us.VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Grace Coughlin
I am not a Veteran, but people in my understanding. In my free time, I enjoy
family are. My grandpa served in the 10th visiting coffee shops with friends, running
Mountain Division during World War II and outside, reading historical fiction, and
my dad served in the First Special Forces skiing.
Group in the Army 1973-1998. I value their
I started volunteering in August 2020 as
contribution, so when I saw the volunteer
a patient escort. I volunteer at the Boise
opportunity to work with Veterans, it
VA Medical Center because I want to give
appealed to me.
back to my community and to help those
I was born in China, and then adopted who spent their lives serving our country.
and raised in Idaho. I grew up in The gratification of volunteering with
Bonners Ferry and had an idyllic small- the Boise VA is that I interact with people
town upbringing in beautiful Northern from all walks of life. As I escort and assist
Idaho—raising chickens, riding my bike veterans to and from their appointments,
around, and exploring the woods with I find joy in our conversations. They are
my dog. I came to Boise for a big city moments where I have the opportunity
college experience. I found community to pause and spend time to get to know
on campus through the Biology Club and them. Furthermore, the volunteer team
Honors College and got involved in a is amazing! I enjoy working with such a
medicinal organic chemistry research lab. motivated, enthusiastic, and kind group of
After I graduate with a bachelor’s degree individuals who all strive to do the same
in Biology, my career plan is to apply to thing when we volunteer—to make each
Medical School and become a doctor. veteran feel welcome and at ease during
I want to practice medicine within my his or her visit.
community and abroad, and I aspire to
positively impact people’s lives by making
the healing process one of kindness andAre You A JEDI?
We are seeking committee members for the Justice, Equity,
Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. This committee
will serve as a forum to address diversity and inclusion
issues impacting Boise VAMC’s workforce and clinical
operations. The committee will address evaluation of JEDI
related policies and programming, implementation of
training and education, overcoming barriers to employee
recruitment and advancement, and communication across
Boise VA as it relates to these topics.
If you are interested in serving on the JEDI committee,
please contact Laura Wetherbee or Emerson Padiernos
at the emails below by March 31st. Please include some
information about your interest.
If you are not interested in a committee position, but do
want to learn about opportunities to get involved with
specific projects or keep learning about JEDI at Boise VA, let
us know!
Questions?
Laura Wetherbee
laura.wetherbee@va.gov
x1343 or Teams
Emerson Padiernos
Emerson.Padiernos@va.govEMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH MARCH
Kirby demonstrated excellence when he modernized and organized the Mechanic Shop and the Electric shop parts
and tool inventory. The improvement is immediately noticeable and greatly appreciated by all who rely on these shops
for support. Kirby has been putting the correct parts into inventory to meet the immediate needs of the facility. One
example is the Medical vacuum pump failure in building 67, known to our medical community as suction. Kirby was
informed the vacuum pump was making a lot of odd noises. Kirby went to the modernized Mechanic shop inventory
picked up a new vacuum pump and changed out the bad pump without any loss of operation at the utility. Vacuum
pumps are not readily available in Boise so, had he not been building a minimum high priority inventory we may have
had to order a pump and wait for it to ship to our station. I am very pleased to nominate Kirby Parke for employee of
the month.
Kirby ParkeEMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH MARCH
Integrity - Dr. Naidoo role models integrity for her peers. When sensitive or difficult issues arise, she is not
afraid to discuss in detail, debrief about how the plan is going, or be open to feedback on how to improve.
Commitment – Dr. Naidoo is a model for commitment to the VA mission, and excellence in following it
through. In particular I would point out her efforts at improving interdisciplinary care at the Boise VA.
Sarah has a track record of working on projects with individuals from different professions, and helping
us all learn how to work best together. She embodies this at the micro and macro level. Dr. Naidoo has
an unassuming demeanor and serves as a team player that supports colleagues in clinic as a background
player to ensure that patient care gets done and that colleagues feel supported. Dr Naidoo always goes
above and beyond for her team and her patients. During the start of the COVID pandemic, our nurses were
seeing patients in small cubbies. Dr Naidoo volunteered to let them use her clinical space for face-to-face
visits (an exam room with windows!) and moved to a windowless cubicle to keep her colleagues safe. Dr.
Naidoo is extremely responsive to the team and always demonstrates commitment to Veteran care and
health professional education.
Advocacy - Dr. Naidoo brings her role as an educator to teach trainees and peers when interacting for
consults to teach about anything from specific medication issues to systems level processes so we feel
empowered to make change going forward. She has always been proactive about helping with patient
care. For example, when the MAT clinic started and we realized we needed help running PDMPs, she
Sarah Naidoo volunteered herself and her team to help run those queries. I am convinced she has prevented many
hospitalizations with my patients. When patients are struggling with their medications she reaches out
proactively to see if they need additional support.
Respect – Dr. Naidoo treats all patients, colleagues and trainees with utmost respect.
Excellence - I aspire to the level of care she brings to her clinical work she is timely and thorough in her
clinical recommendations, readily available to answer questions as they come up, and pro-active about
identifying patient safety issues. She is an excellent teacher and has helped our already amazing PGY-2
Pharmacy residents be even stronger. She has excellent time-management skills and is efficient in her
work. She provides excellent learning experiences for pharmacy residents and other trainees in Silver team.
Her efficiency and helpful demeanor is always appreciated in Silver team.BOISE is HIGHLY RELIABLE
_ Your Care is Our Mission.(L2R) Dr. Vetsch, Lauren Musheno RN, Alexa Cleveland RN, Erin Webb RN.
GOOD
CATCH
AWARD
A patient was being prepped to undergo a procedure in the Operating
Room. For this procedure, the patient is positioned by tipping the bed
(airplaned) to the very far left. The patient was positioned on the bed after
intubation with right arm on an arm board (foam pad and wrist strap on),
left arm tucked with foam bad and draw sheet), safety strap across thighs
and gel heel pads on. This type of positioning is standard and safe while the
bed is leveled. However, when the bed was tipped, the patient nearly slid off
the operating room table. The scrub tech noticed the patient’s leg was slipping and alerted the circulator- they applied tape to his thighs and legs
and to the bed as a strong safety strap to prevent any further movement of the patient. When the bed was tilted even farther to the left, the MDs
noticed his entire upper body began slipping and alerted the circulating staff. The RN applied safety straps to the patient’s chest, hips, thighs, and
calves. The patient did not sustain any injury and the operation was performed successfully.
After reviewing what had happened, it was found that a new product- disposable linen- was used on the bed creating a very slippery surface. A
pink foam nonslip pad should have been placed on the OR table to prevent the patient from slipping. The OR determined that the new disposable
linen’s slippery surface was not acceptable and discontinued its use and returned to standard cotton linen bed covers. The pink foam non-slip pad
was added to the preference card for positioning to remind staff. Training occurred emphasizing that if a patient is to be placed in any position
with the potential for slippage to use the non-slip device.National We thank and
Vietnam War honor our
Veterans
Day Vietnam Veterans
for their faithful
29 March service to our
nation.
Join the Nation…
Thank a Vietnam Veteran
for Service to our Nation
U.S. Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between
November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location of service.
vietnamwar50th.comSAFETY ROUNDS
The Executive Leadership Team is 45- 60 minutes. Who should be there? All staff from
resuming Patient Safety/Performance the area are encouraged to participate,
How is it arranged? Areas are selected
Improvement rounds! including managers and supervisors.
in random order and we work with staff
Support staff in the area, volunteers,
What are Patient Safety and to avoid particularly busy days. We will
medical residents, students, and others
Performance Improvement (PS/PI) confirm with the supervisor or manager
are welcome!
Rounds? Patient Safety/Performance of the area and send a calendar invite
Improvement Rounds are an electronically the week prior. Participating in Patient Safety Rounds/
opportunity for front line staff in Performance Improvement Rounds is
Are you inspecting the area? No.
both clinical and non-clinical areas YOUR chance to make concerns you
Patient Safety Rounds/Performance
to bring up patient safety concerns have about PATIENT SAFETY known.
Improvement Rounds are not an
and performance improvement ideas
inspection, but feel free to bring our Click here to learn more! https://dvagov.
directly to senior leadership. Each week,
attention to an issue. We keep track of sharepoint.com/sites/VHABOI/Quality/
a member of the executive leadership
concerns brought up by staff and track SitePages/Executive-Leadership-Team-
team, Performance Improvement, and
the concerns through resolution, if to-Resume-Patient-Safety-Performance-
the Patient Safety Manager (PSM) will
appropriate. Improvement-Rounds!.aspx
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