In response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Houston area and surrounding counties, MEDVAMC is taking proactive steps to prevent the risk of infection or its spread to Veterans, employees, visitors, and trainees at the Houston VA and its CBOCs. We note this is an evolving situation. For Veterans, families and visitors, that means your VA visit will be different for a while.  As a community, our goal is to contain or prevent spread of COVID-19. 

WHAT DO VETERANS AND VISITORS NEED TO KNOW?

Who can come to the facility?
Only Veterans and those with official business are allowed access to our buildings. To protect the health and safety of our Veterans, Houston VA has restricted most visitors from entering our main hospital at this time. No visitors will be allowed in any inpatient units except our Palliative Care/Hospice patients on NU4D or in acute care.

Veterans call before visiting.
Veterans, please call first before going to any of our VA facilities, especially if you have symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Calling first helps us protect you, medical staff, and other patients. Ask your VA health care team about the option of care by phone or video instead of an in-person visit.

if you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, call us at 713-794-8985, before you visit your Houston VA or CBOC. Clinical staff are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage.

Veterans with appointments:

• Patients should not bring anyone with them to their clinic visit as visitors are restricted from the facility. Outpatients who require physical assistance can have ONE visitor who must be able to assist them.
• All visitors, including children and adolescents under the age of 16, are restricted from visiting the facility. This includes appointments.
• Arrive early for your appointment.
• Ask for a mask upon entering the facility, if you are sick.
• Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after your appointment.

Be prepared to be screened when entering the facility.
We have staff at our entrances screening ALL Veterans, limited visitors, and employees who enter our main medical center and CBOCs. We are taking temperatures of all who enter our facility. Visitation is restricted at our VA at this time.

All who enter our main medical center and CBOCs will be asked the following three questions.

• Do you have a fever or worsening cough or shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms?
• Have you or a close contact traveled to an area with widespread or sustained community transmission of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset?
• Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have COVID-19?

We have temporary new hours for building entrances:
   Main Entrance: Patients Only
       Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
       Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

   SCI Entrance: Employees Only                                    

   Metro/CLC Entrance: Patients Only
       Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
       Saturday and Sunday: Closed 

Leave time for screening.
We encourage patients to arrive early for their appointments. We’re doing all we can to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible during this situation.

Valet Parking
Valet parking at the main entrance continues to operate. We are suspending the valet services at the SCI entrance.

What can you do to help during this situation?
For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and common-sense tips on preventing the spread of disease, visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/.

For more information about coronavirus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

TEMPORARY VISITATION POLICY CHANGES

VA is asking patients, staff, and visitors to help slow the spread of infection. Visitations to the Houston VA are now restricted. Our volunteer program is temporarily suspended.

All visitors are restricted from entering the facility, except for:

• Palliative Care/Hospice patients on NU4D or in acute care.
• Outpatients who require physical assistance can have ONE visitor who must be able to assist them.

Thank you for helping us protect the health and safety of all who enter your Houston VA!