Released by the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System …
GAINESVILLE, FL. – The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) continues to support the Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Fourth Mission” in helping Floridians during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is committed to helping our region respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Health System Director, Thomas Wisnieski. “Caring for Veterans is our first mission, but across North Florida/ South Georgia, we are also helping in the local communities.”
As part of a statewide tasking through an official FEMA Mission Assignment, four teams are providing support to community nursing homes in the area. The six- person teams include a Physician or Advanced Nurse Practitioner, 2 Registered Nurses, 2 Licensed Practical Nurses, 1 Therapist (Occupational/Physical Therapist). Additional six teams are on stand-by should they be needed.
Support has been provided to 30 long term care facilities across the state. Depending on facility needs, our teams have provided staff augmentation, training and education on proper use of PPE and infection control, assisting with review of standard operating procedures and recommendations for modifications for COVID-19 cases to protect patients and staff from exposure.
“I volunteered to serve as physician on the team because I believed it was a great opportunity for me to do my part in the response to COVID-19”, stated Giovanni Torri, MD, Assistant Chief of Primary Care at Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic. “Providing education to community nursing home staff has been an emotionally touching experience.”
VISN 8 Teams have been invaluable to the facilities supported, with at least one county health department director reporting their engagement has saved lives.
VA traditionally provides Veterans’ healthcare, benefits and memorial affairs. In times of national crisis, such as the current Coronavirus pandemic, VA can also provide services to the nation based on requests from states. This is known as VA’s Fourth Mission.