Audible Prescriptions
Now Available
The “ScripTalk” audible prescription reader is now available at all VA Medical Centers. It is a hand-held device that scans a prescription from a local VA pharmacy. The pharmacy places a special microchip on the label for the “ScripTalk” reader to recognize. It then reads the patient’s name, the drug, when it was issued, how often it should be taken, the name of the physician that prescribed it, how many refills are allowed, the RX number, and the phone number to call to reorder.
I find it especially helpful in that I can check to make sure the postal worker didn’t give me the wrong package when a new drug comes in the mail.
If you decide to request “ScripTalk” from your VIST Coordinator, I would suggest that you take to the pharmacy all of the VA-issued prescriptions you currently have on hand. The pharmacist can then place new labels on your prescriptions and you can utilize your new “ScripTalk” reader immediately.
Dennis O’Connell
Floral Park, NY
Blinded Veteran
Appreciates VIST
VA has been wonderful to me since the onset of blindness. At the Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, VIST Coordinator Harold Miller has seen to it that I get every benefit offered to blinded veterans. I’d like to give a warm thanks to him.
At a time when I seem hard-pressed to find people who do their job and do it well, Mr. Miller comes through for me time and time again. He is a credit to all who need his help. He seems to genuinely like my company and doesn’t mind taking time out of his busy day to “chew the fat” with me. I’m grateful to know him, and I think he deserves lots of recognition.
Daniel P. Taverne
West Monroe, LA
Fall-Related
Injuries
In the not-too-distant past I have known several elderly blinded veterans who have passed away as a direct result of a fall. You may wish to pursue this topic for a story in the BVA Bulletin. There may be value in informing your readership that the leading cause of death among those over 64 is a fall.
It is my understanding from VIST Coordinator Barb Hunt at the Hines VA Medical Center that there are people within VA that speak about fall prevention. There is also a useful website, www.fallpreventionclinics.com, that Bulletin readers may wish to refer to.
I have also spoken to the Zablocki VA Medical Center Chief of Nurses here in Milwaukee about setting up an information session on this subject. I will see where it leads.
Robert Del Malak
Milwaukee, WI
Region IV Field Service Representative
Concurrent Receipt
Inequities
H.R. 303 authorized military retirees rated by VA at 100 percent disabled to draw full Concurrent Receipt while denying full Concurrent Receipt to military retirees rated at 100 percent and unemployable. This discriminates against the 100 percent disabled veteran who is considered unemployable. Such discrimination is, at best, outrageous.
In light of the preceding, I would ask that BVA do whatever it can to right this despicable wrong. Robert Langworthy
Windham, CT |
