Smart phone ban:Isolated incident or just another 'brick in the wall' of a crumbling program?

2015-10-01T13:22:34-04:00

"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

VA apologizes for 'ill-advised' ban on veterans' cellphones

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) apologized on Wednesday for temporarily implementing what it called an ill-advised policy at some medical centers that banned veterans from bringing cellphones to appointments, according to a statement provided by the VA to the Washington Free Beacon.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 1 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-10-01T13:24:19-04:00

Seems a little over kill. Maybe this is their way of getting people through the system quicker because they know everyone has a cellphone.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-10-01T13:25:32-04:00

To be quite honest, I do not see this as a problem. It is not hard to just leave your phone in your car. Waiting in line behind some guy who is texting on his phone while the clerk is trying to help them is frustrating and slows things down for everyone.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 2:39 PM

2015-10-01T14:39:36-04:00

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.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 1 at 2015 6:12 PM

2015-10-01T18:12:10-04:00

smdh...

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 2 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-10-02T08:23:02-04:00

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.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-10-05T14:58:44-04:00

MSG Floyd Williams I hadn't heard about this. Thank you for sharing it. Why the ban on iPhones? I know that some areas of hospitals ban iPhone use because of the electromagnetic interference between the iPhones and medical equipment. Additionally many hospitals have in place wi fi networks to transmit patient records and may be guarding against possible accidental interception or having their networks compromised or dare I say hacked. The Joint Commission required hospitals to present a strategy to manage mobile phones and the FDA is preparing guidance on wireless trasmissions.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-10-05T15:03:09-04:00

No one can whistle-blow problems if they aren't allowed the means to do so.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Oct 5 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-10-05T15:04:06-04:00

I dunno. This doesn't pass the smell test. Does or has anyone seen one of these pamphlets?

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Oct 5 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-10-05T15:07:53-04:00

Most hospitals do as they can interfere with some electronic equipment, as do most cellular telephones. Common sense measure.

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Oct 5 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-10-05T15:14:23-04:00

This can't be right right?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 5 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-10-05T15:14:57-04:00

I don't think it's specifically iPhones, but the use of all mobile devices. When I went to get my passport done recently, the use of mobile phones for phone calls were not allowed.

From what I see, no mobile phones, firearms, blades, and backpacks. I believe because of the popularity, the iPhone has now become the symbol for all mobile phones. The RAZR was at one point.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 5 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-10-05T15:15:23-04:00

A short while back a patient took a picture of a waiting room and patients laying on the floor . That doesn't explain the iPhone ban.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-10-05T15:18:35-04:00

For you knuckleheads needing to criticize Fox News for their reporting need to check yourself and realize that free speech and questions are NOT antithetical to good order and this just illustrates this. I bet the VA did this to stop the VA from preventing people from whistleblowers.. The VA needs to change and stop treating Veterans poorly.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Oct 5 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-10-05T15:24:54-04:00

I am reluctant to click on anger feeding reports on the internet because some are carrying links to virus and hackers that know very well how to con us to look. My advice search for safe sights with the reports, I did and all lead to the same sight. Good Luck.

Response by CPT Topher Murphy made Oct 5 at 2015 4:00 PM

2015-10-05T16:00:41-04:00

The poorly planned implementation was meant to be "you can't record therapy sessions or C&P exams". It's illegal in most states to record without consent from both parties.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 7 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-10-07T00:07:21-04:00

Is this for real? This reads like an Onion post...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-12-14T18:25:04-05:00

Does Hitler work for the VA?