When a new mom arrived for her first postpartum checkup, both her nurse and physician noticed that she seemed listless, depressed and strangely detached from her newborn. When the young mother expressed suicidal thoughts, the team recognized a severe case of postpartum depression and took action immediately. Under different circumstances, the doctor might have recommended visiting a local emergency room, but a call to VHAN’s Adult Behavioral Health Consultation line led to an alternative, and possibly lifesaving, approach.  

The miniVHAN podcast series features speakers discussing behavioral health topics across the lifespan, including depression, anxiety, neurodiversity, trauma and grief. These articles provide more resources for strengthening mental health.

Returning to school can cause some children and teens anxiety, stress and depression. As young patients return to school next month, be prepared to offer them and their caregivers behavioral health support should the need arise. Read the full article for a complete list of resources VHAN offers members, patients and their caregivers.

Adolescence, those formative years between childhood and adulthood, can be a confusing and sometimes challenging time as young people go through changes both emotional and physical. It’s also a time of discovery as they learn to form their individual identity. A big part of that journey is sexuality, finding where they fit in and how they identify on the spectrum. VHAN Social Workers support young patients through all stages of life, providing behavioral health referrals when needed along the way.

The March 27 shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville was devastating for all of us, especially those in the middle Tennessee communities served by you, our VHAN members. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims, the first responders and all of those who are struggling with the impact of this traumatic event.

In the aftermath, we turn our attention to our young patients, particularly those in need of counseling and other behavioral health services. Read the full article to access behavioral health tools and resources for pediatric patients and their families.

VHAN’s Pamela Bruce, Director, Quality and Clinical Transformation, has joined the NAACOS Quality Committee. This committee evaluates quality initiatives and requirements related to ACOs, while focusing on the role of quality performance in population-based payment models. The NAACOS Quality Committee also works to develop and guide the NAACOS quality strategy as it relates to Medicare ACO models including the Shared Savings Programs and other payers with ACO contracts. Congratulations, Pam!

This flu season has been one of the worst in recent years, with approximately 8.7 million flu illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 flu-related deaths reported across the United States. Flu vaccines remain the best defense against this year’s flu, along antiviral medications like Tamiflu, handwashing and plenty of rest. Your patients likely have plenty of questions about treating flu symptoms or avoiding flu altogether. In this article, we address some commonly asked questions with input from clinical experts.

VHAN’s Care Management team often steps in to provide relief and assistance to overworked caregivers. Recently, this coordinated approach benefited an overwhelmed daughter caring for her 75-year-old mother with a history of vascular dementia and multiple strokes. The patient came to VUMC with increased blood sugars, along with weakness and confusion that had resulted in a fall at home. The VHAN Care Management team not only help patients cope with complex conditions, but they also provide compassionate service and a listening ear to caregivers, reminding them not to neglect their own health while in pursuit of their loved one’s healing.

Recently, a VHAN RN Care Navigator was able to connect an overlooked patient to much-needed follow-up care after a joint replacement. The 63-year-old female patient with comorbidities was admitted to a hospital for a planned knee replacement, expecting that she would be referred to a rehab facility at discharge. However, after spending a week in the hospital, she was sent home with no follow-up instructions. She understandably felt confused and disconnected from the system and worried about what would happen next—that’s where VHAN’s RN Care Navigator Cheryl Landis stepped in.