Veteran Feedback Prompts Small, But Impactful, Change in Radiology

Women Veterans have a couple of new garments to choose from in the radiology department at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) thanks to the coordinated effort of a few departments.

During a past focus group for women Veterans, Carmen Quinones heard about their experiences while receiving an MRI. As the facility’s customer service manager and supervisor to a cadre of patient advocates, she noticed a trend of comments regarding the thinness of the garments used by the facility and how some women felt the items were too revealing. One Veteran, a survivor of military sexual trauma, stated the gowns made her feel unsafe.

“After hearing the experiences of several women Veterans, I checked out the garments for myself,” Quinones explained. “It was understandable the gowns we were using might not be suitable for everyone and could make women Veterans feel exposed or vulnerable.”

Quinones worked closely with staff in radiology to seek additional garments to improve the Veteran’s experience and meet all quality and safety measures required for use around MRI machines.

Full story in latest edition of the VISN 6 newsletter: https://www.visn6.va.gov/images/voicesofvisn6.pdf