Press release from Charles George VA Medical Center:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that video telehealth appointments to home increased more than 1000 percent as Veterans increasingly chose virtual care through VA Video Connect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System – which includes Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Rutherford County, Hickory and Franklin, N.C. – has conducted 6,720 telehealth visits since January 1 – 6,231 of which were conducted from March through May.
“As we near the three-year anniversary of the launch of VA Video Connect, even during these challenging times, VA has and continues to maintain access to high-quality health care for Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “As the service becomes more popular, VA remains committed to providing a seamless user experience to ensure Veterans have access to care where and when they need it.”
VA Video Connect allows Veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA care teams on any computer, tablet, or mobile device with an internet connection. As in-person interactions decreased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA Video Connect supported Veterans’ abilities to continue care and remain safely at home.
Usage of video to home services has been increasing since mid-March with peak usage reaching over 29,000 appointments per day nationally. The increase at the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System represents an 855 percent increase from February 2020.
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