I don't have the power to get my POA (Power of Attorney and Living Will) out of the VA records. I don't understand why I am directed to the release of information office, the release of information office directs me to the social worker, the social worker can't find it, it's up to me to find it, and it's my fault for not following procedures.
April 13, 2013 2:22am - Veteran to Provider
"ANP Randi Schmeling:
Withdrawing Living Will. Early on we agreed that you would have my
original living will transferred from Prescott to Green Valley because I
wanted to withdraw it. Has that been done and may I come to the clinic
and get it? If you don't have it would you please get it and send it to me?
Thank you.
Anthony O'Connell 7637"
April 27, 2013, 2:02am - Veteran to Joe Rindone (Prescott)
"Dr. Rindone,
I had submitted a Living Will in Prescott when I was on the Blue Team. Can you have it returned to me?
Thank you.
Anthony O'Connell 7637"
May 2. 2013, 5:56pm - Social Worker to Veteran
"Dear Mr. O'Connell,
I am the social worker at the Green Valley VA Clinic and am writing to respond regarding
your living will. It is my understanding that you gave your living will to the Prescott Clinic. We
do not have your original living will here and there is no record of a living will in your chart.
We do not keep documents at the clinic. When we receive a document we note it in the
electronic chart and send it to Medical Records in Tucson for scanning. You might try the
Prescott Clinic or their main office which I believe is in Phoenix.
Thank you for your service and feel free to call me if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
Donna Dunklin LCSW"
May 3, 2013 7:40am - Veteran to Provider
"Dear Primary Care Provider ANP Randi Schmeling:
Please explain why my medicine stopped. Because of my health and my
income stopping my VA medicine is a virtual death sentence. You know
am penniless.
Please return my original living will. When I first became your patient you
agreed to return it. I rescind my living will. Please return my original living
will to me.
What is your intent?
Sincerely, Anthony O'Connell 763
May 7, 2013 1:43pm - Provider to Veteran
"1) your medicine is due for release; you can go to main VA since you do not have a phone to get it.
2) For the last time-social work has addressed the advance directive issue. I do not have a
copy-you can go to the Release of Information office at the main VA and they may have
access to it."
May 8, 2013, 1:23pm -
Fabian to Veteran
"
Mr. Oconnel
Your medication was sent out to you, you will receive it in the mail.
ANP Schmeling does not have your "will" she does not keep any patient records in her
office. Please refrain from continuing to ask her for this. You can contact the main facility at
(520)792-1450 if you have questions regarding your "will".
I am also asking that you use this service to ask general question only and if you need to
schedule an appointment to see ANP Schmeling you can call our clinic at (520)399-2291.
Thank you and have a good day
Fabian"
May 9, 2013 13:34 - Provider to Veteran
"Dear ANTHONY MINER OCONNELL,
Progress Notes
This letter is to address your misuse of secure messaging. You have written the
same thing over 6 times and we have sent you the answer as many times. You MUST
stop doing this. Your medications are not being withheld, they are being sent
out. We have told you how to contact Release of Information each time regarding
the copy of your advanced directives as we do not have access to them. The MSA,
the soc1al worker, pharmacist and I have all responded to you numerous times.
If you do not stop misusing secure messaging, I will have to request from the
overseer of secure messaging contact you and if necessary suspend your secure
messaging.
Sincerely,
Randi Schmeling MS, RNP, ANP, BC"
May 9, 2013 3:41pm - Fabian to Veteran
"
Mr. Oconnell
I addressed your medication issue yesterday is there something else going on. Your
medication was sent out from the main facility to you and should arrive shortly.
This clinic and AN P Schmeling does not hold any copies of patient records, if you would like
to receive your living will please contact release of information at the main facility at
(520)792-1450.
I hope this has answered your questions about your medication and living will. We need to
get past this and assist you with the care you may need.
Thank you
Fabian"
May 13, 2013 7:08pm - Veteran to Social Worker:
"Dear Donna Dunklin LCSW.
I went to release of information at the Tucson VA today to get my living will. They told me I had to make an appointment with the social worker in Green Valley to get my living will out of the system. If that is agreeable with you, just tell me when I can see you. If you have any questions please contact Rosemary Hernandez at Release of Information.
Thank you.
Anthony O'Connell 7637"
May 15, 2013 7:42am - Veteran to Social Worker
"This message is for Donna Dunklin LCSW.
Dear Donna Dunklin LCSW.
On May 14, 2013, I went to release of information at the Tucson VA to
get my living will out of the system. They told me I had to make an
appointment with the social worker in Green Valley to get my living will
out of the system. If that is agreeable with you, just tell me when I can
see you. If you have any questions please contact Rosemary Hernandez
at the Release of Information office in Tucson. I look forward to your
response.
Thank you.
Anthony O'Connell 7637"
May 15, 2013 10:54am - Provider to Veteran
"We have answered your questions many times-my MSA, the
pharmacist, social worker and myself. We cannot continue to write the
same thing over and over. We do not have the time to keep repeating
ourselves as we have many other patients. We have answered your
medication issue; they were sent out. If you have not received them.
then you need to go to main va to the pharmacist since you do not have
a phone. You are misusing the system because you keep writing the
same thing over even though we have answered your questions. and do
not use outlook again-it is not a secure site and I will not respond back in
outlook"
May 16, 2013 11:11am - Social Worker to Veteran:
"Mr. O'Connell,
I am sorry but you received incorrect information at the Tucson VA. I spoke directly with the
Director of Medical Records who told me that they do not keep any hard copy records at all.
They scan everything that they receive and put it in your electronic record. They destroy all
hard copies after 90 days. I repeat there is NO living will in your electronic chart here at
SAVAHCS, which indicates that they never received a paper copy of a Living Will for you. If
you are concerned about Prescott having your Living Will in their chart, you need to contact
them"
May 17, 2013 1:14pm Veteran to Provider
"Dear ANP Randi Schmeling, Primary Care Provider:
I received you letter dated May 9, 2013, and quote it below for reference:
Fri, May 17,2013 at 1:14 PM
"Dear ANTHONY MINER OCONNELL
This letter is to address your misuse of secure messaging. You have written the same thing over 6 times
and we have sent you the answer as many times. You MUST stop doing this. Your medications are not
being withheld, they are being sent out. We have told you how to contact Release of Information each time
regarding the copy of your advanced directives as we do not have access to them. The MSA, the soc1 al
worker, pharmacist and I have all responded to you numerous times. If you do not stop misusing secure
messaging, I will have to request from the overseer of secure messaging contact you and if necessary
suspend your secure messaging.
Sincerely,
Randi Schmeling MS, RNP, ANP, BC"
This 'letter is not true. Please send me a copy of any evidence that would support the charges in this letter.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Anthony OConnell 7637"
May 17, 2013 1:17pm- Veteran to Paula Newsome
"Dear Paula Newsome, My HealtheVet Coordinato:
I received your letter dated May 13, 2013 (I received two copies, once on May 15(?) and once on May 17.) and quote it below for reference:
""Dear Mr. O'Connell,
When you opted in to the VA's Secure Messaging program through your My HealtheVet
account, you agreed to specific terms and conditions for the use of that program (see
attached). The purpose of this letter is to notify you in writing that you have violated those
terms and conditions by sending an excessive number of messages. If your inappropriate use of the VA's
Secure Messaging program does not cease, actions may be taken to block you from the program.
If you continue to demonstrate inappropriate use of Secure Messaging, a request to block your usage will be presented to the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) MyHealtheVet Workgroup. If the workgroup makes a recommendation in favor of blocking your use, you will be notified by letter, which will include information on how you can appeal the decision.
We sincerely hope you will make the choice to abide by the rules of Secure Messaging so that you can
continue to enjoy the convenience of the program. If you have any questions about the content of this letter, please contact me at (520) 792-1450 ext. 6889.
Sincerely,
Paula S. Newsome
My HealtheVet Coordinator""
This letter is not true. Please send me a copy of any evidence that would support the charges in this letter.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Anthony O'Connell, 7637"
July 12, 2013 - letter, Director to Senator McCain
"Dear Senator McCain:
This is in response to your letter dated June 19,2013, regarding your constituent,
Mr. Anthony OConnell and his concerns at the Green Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic
(CBOC) of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS). I requested that
Mr. John Altevers, Administrative Officer, Community Clinics Care Line, address his concerns.
Mr. OConnell expressed several concerns in his letter to you but specifically asked questions about
his prescription renewals, his treatment, and obtaining his living will. Mr. OConnell's current
medications were not stopped and were refilled promptly at his request since October 2012. Many
medications are renewed annually. In order for Mr. OConnell to obtain further medication refills, he
can schedule an appointment with his provider at the Green Valley CBOC by calling (520) 399-2291.
If Mr. OConnell needs refills prior to October 2013; he should contact the pharmacy refill line, at
(520) 470-8262 and select option four. Mr. OConnell also contacted his provider several times
asking that his living will be returned to him. He was advised each time to contact the Release of
Information (ROI) office located at the main VA hospital to obtain his living will, as it is not
available at the clinic. Mr. OConnell can reach the ROI office at (520) 792-1450, extension 6923.
These are standard VA procedures and all Veterans are provided the same guidance to receive
medication refills and to obtain copies of their computerized medical information.
The SAVAHCS strives to provide quality and compassionate care to all of our Veterans. We are
very concerned with patient care and the satisfaction of the Veterans we serve. If you have any
questions regarding this letter, please contact Mr. John Altevers at (520) 792-1450, extension 4042.
Sincerely,
Jonathan H. Gardner, MPA, FACHE
Director
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System"
October 24, 2013 4:59pm - Provider to Veteran
"I will not answer in Outlook as you should not be using it.
I refilled your meds but with just one refill as I will be retiring November 27. When you are
on your last refill, you will need to make an appointment with your new provider.
If you did not receive the medications that went out then you will need to drive to the main
VA and talk to pharmacy since you do not have a phone. They can trace them and provide a refill if they were lost.
Regarding cardiology, you requested the referral since you were having chest pain.
Therefore they ordered a stress test and changed your cholesterol medication since your
cholesterol was not at the goal they wished. If you have any questions regarding any of
this, I suggest you drive to the main VA and make a followup appointment with cardiology to
discuss since you do not have a phone and cannot call them.
To change your living will, make an appointment with the social worker to get a new one with your current wishes on file."
October 25, 2013 - Dr Mueller to Veteran
"Dear Mr. O'Connell:
It is important that this facility is a safe environment for all patients and staff. Safe health care is
based on mutual respect between provider and patient. We take disrespectful behavior and
unauthorized use of internal communication systems seriously at the Southern Arizona VA
Health Care Systenl, whether towards your provider, other VA staff members or fellow patients.
It was reported to the Disruptive Behavior Committee that you are abusing MyHealtheVet secure
messaging and staff telephone voice mail. It was also reported to the committee that you are
inappropriately using internal Outlook messaging to address clinical concerns. Outlook is not
secure and will not be used to address clinical topics. This behavior must stop. The committee is
composed of clinicians and administrative representatives. After reviewing this incident, the
committee has recommended this letter be sent to you. Behavior of this nature in the future
could lead to further actions,
Our goal is to provide high quality health care in a safe and caring environment for you as well
as everyone else. I hope you will heed this warning and manage your behavior appropriately. If
you have any questions, please call Sally Petty, RN, 520-792-1450, extension 6402.
Timothy I. Mueller, MD
Chair, Disruptive Behavior Committee
Acting Chief, Mental Health Care Line
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Enclosed: Patient's Rights and Responsibilities"
October 28, 5:18am - Veteran to Dr Mueller
"Dear Dr Mueller:
I don't understand your certified letter of October 25, 2013:
""Dear Mr. O'Connell:
It is important that this facility is a safe environment for all patients and staff. Safe health care is
based on mutual respect between provider and patient. We take disrespectful behavior and
unauthorized use bfinternal communication systems s~riously at the Southern Arizona VA
Health Care System, whether towards your provider, other VA staffmembers or fellow patients.
Jt was reported to the Disruptive Behavior Committee that you are abusing MyHealtheVet secure
messaging and stafftelephone voice mail. It was also reported to the committee that you are
inappropriately using internal Outlook messaging to address clinical concerns. Outlook is not
secure and will not be used to address clinical topics. This behavior must stop. The committee is
.composed ofclinicians and administrative representatives. After reviewing this incident, the
committee has recommended this letter be sent to you. Behavior ofthis nature in the future
could lead to further actions.
Our goal is to provide high quality health care in a safe and caring environment for you as well
as everyone else. I hope you will heed this warning and manage your behavior appropriately. If
you have any questions, please call Sally Petty, RN, 520-792-1450, extension 6402.
Sincerely,
Timothy I. Mueller, MD""
Please identify what you are accusing me of and give me an example. Please be specific. If you are saying that it is against the rules to email the VA would you please state the rule?
Can we not lose sight of the immediate issue? The immediate issue is can my medicine trails be exposed or can my medicine traits not be exposed. What is your opinion?
Thank you
Anthony O'Connell 7637"
December 6, 2013, Veteran's daughter to VA recipients
Dear recipients:
On November 14, 2013, I received a phone call from someone in the VA that said Cardiology had sent two letters to Anthony O'Connell. Would you please send to me and Mr. Anthony O'Connell copies of these two letters?
I am Anthony O'Connell's Health Care Agent in his Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will dated January 1, 2009. He tells me that he has rescinded this document. He has repeatedly asked that this document be removed from the VA records, and has done all the procedures he has been instructed to do to make this happen, such as going to the Release of Information, and trying to make an appointment with the social worker. Please release this document from the VA records now and send verification to me and Anthony O'Connell that it has been done.
Please adhere to my September 18, 2013, letter to the Director that said, in part: "If you contact me again
concerning Anthony O'Connell please do it by letter with a copy to Anthony O'Connell, and not by telephone."
Thank you,
Kate Simmons
411 Myra Way
San Francisco, CA 94127
