Putting Veterans First: The Role of Enterprise Mobility in Transforming the VA Experience
Like many organizations, the VA (Veterans Affairs) healthcare system is suffering from low employee retention and satisfaction. According to a report from the American Federation of Government Employees, VA facilities across the country are facing a huge staffing and budget crisis. With less staff, more pressure is being put on to current employees to get the job done, often with fewer resources.
Mental health continues to be a struggle amongst these critical frontline healthcare workers, especially in a post-Covid world. As reported in a recent study conducted by the VA, 1 in 5 workers indicated that they were experiencing more stress and burnout than usual, and “exhibited a diminished capacity to deal with the stressed and demands of the work environment.” While the VA did put in place a number of initiatives in 2021 to support its workers, and regional and facility leadership were aware of the services put in place, unfortunately, the information did not trickle down to middle management or the heavily affected frontline workers.
In 2022, the VA launched the REBOOT (Reducing Employee Burnout and Optimizing Organizational Thriving) program. And, they launched a number of other programs, such as increased retention bonuses and removing caps on pay. However, the VA still continues to face its highest turnover rate in 15 years, and will need to hire 15,000 nurses per year over the next five years to meet the needs of its patients.
While supportive programs around mental health and pay incentives are critical to boosting the morale of the VA’s workforce, working to provide the right tools to these vital healthcare professionals caring for one of our most vulnerable populations now becomes necessary. Enterprise mobility solutions like purpose-built healthcare smartphones are just as important to have at hand as a blood pressure cuff or thermometer.
By having only one device to carry on the job, VA nurses and healthcare providers alike have constant access to patient data and information. From on-demand access to a patient’s EHR, to real-time routing of alarms and alerts to the device, to the ability to scan medicine right at the point of care, these smartphones are revolutionizing the healthcare industry.
Additionally, these purpose-built healthcare devices enable better communication and collaboration not only among care teams to support patients, but also allow leadership to communicate important information to their staff, such as the availability of mental health resources, at any time. Leadership is able to keep a pulse on their staff, better understand the demands of each shift and where teams may be struggling, and can provide more personal assistance at any time. While in-person communication remains critical, this valuable lifeline available anytime can help employees feel supported and empowered on the job.
Enterprise mobility is not merely a luxury but a necessity in the VA system. By leveraging mobile technologies, the VA can overcome barriers to healthcare access, improve communication and collaboration, empower veterans, and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. The integration of enterprise mobility within the VA system will undoubtedly revolutionize care for our veterans, ensuring they receive the timely, accessible, and patient-centric care they deserve. As technology continues to advance, it is imperative that the VA remains at the forefront of innovation to fulfill its mission of providing the best possible care to our nation’s heroes.
The Spectralink Versity 95 healthcare smartphone is FIPS-validated and TA certified, meeting the highest standards of security and capability as required by government organizations like the VA. For more information, please complete the form below, and our expert team will be in touch.