[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 61 (Friday, March 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING DR. SARASWATHY BATTAR FOR HER WORK AT CAVHS

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                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas-

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2020

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Saraswathy (Sara) Battar for her groundbreaking work at the Central 
Arkansas Veterans Health Care System (CAVHS).
  Dr. Battar developed a mnemonic guide, called VIONE, to help 
deprescribe unneeded medications. VIONE stands for Vital, Important, 
Optional, Not indicated, and Every medication has a specific indication 
for use.
  Launched in 2016, VIONE is an electronic tool that uses five filters 
to assess medications and has benefitted more than 77,000 veterans at 
24 VA facilities.
  To date, over 168,000 prescription orders have been discontinued, 
achieving more than $5.8 million in cost avoidance while ensuring 
veterans are only taking the medications they need.
  Dr. Battar is a champion for the veterans community throughout 
Arkansas and the country, and I am proud to recognize her commitment to 
better serve our Nation's heroes.

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