To Reduce Opioid Prescriptions, Tomah VA Looks To Acupuncture

The Tomah VA Medical Center is one of 18 veterans hospitals across the country participating in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Whole Health program, which uses nontraditional therapies for pain and mental health as they continue to address former problems with over-prescribing medication at the facility. We’re trying to really change the environment to be one of looking at the entire veteran: what the veteran wants in their lives and what’s important to them," said Victoria Brahm, director of the Tomah VA. The initiative comes almost four years after a veteran died at the facility from a mixture of drugs prescribed by VA doctors. Federal investigations following the incident found some staff were over-prescribing drugs at the facility, with patients referring to the medical center as "Candy Land." Brahm said the Whole Health initiative shows the progress the Tomah VA has made on improving practices.