Message from VA ECHCS Director on COVID-19 and ECHCS site of care operations

Veterans,

I am Michael T. Kilmer, Director of VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. I want to update you on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, I believe that our proactive efforts have and will continue to make a difference in flattening the curve of this pandemic. Weeks ago, we stopped elective surgeries, implemented the screening of everyone who comes to any of our sites of care and we are no longer allowing visitors unless needed for caregiver support or palliative care reasons.

The reality is that COVID-19 has arrived in full-force in Colorado. Not only is it impacting our communities, but it is also impacting our Veterans and our staff. Right now, we are preparing for the surge of sick patients we know will need us through this healthcare crisis. We are working with regional and national VA teams to address supplies, bed space, staffing and most importantly, how we will protect all of you and our employees while we continue our critical mission.

As many of you may have experienced, we have largely gone to virtual care. Please use MyHealtheVet. Please do not come into any of our sites unless your provider has specifically asked you to do so or if you need emergency care from the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center.

In an effort to reallocate our resources, we will be curtailing our operating status by site of care as indicated below:

• Alamosa VA Clinic: Modified Operations – Virtual care for all scheduled routine appointments. If you feel that you need to be evaluated in person, please call and schedule a face-to-face appointment prior to arriving at this site of care.  
• Aurora VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 3/30, continuing to provide virtual care
• Burlington VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 4/01, continuing to provide virtual care
• Denver VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 3/30, continuing to provide virtual care
• PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic (COS): Modified Operations – Virtual care for all scheduled routine appointments. If you feel that you need to be evaluated in person, please call and schedule a face-to-face appointment prior to arriving at this site of care.
• IDES Fort Carson: Closing as of 3/27/2020
• Golden VA Clinic: Modified Operations – Virtual care for all scheduled routine appointments. If you feel that you need to be evaluated in person, please call and schedule a face-to-face appointment prior to arriving at this site of care.
• Jewell VA Clinic: Closed to Veterans
• La Junta VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 4/01, continuing to provide virtual care
• Lamar VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 4/01, continuing to provide virtual care
• PFC James Dunn VA Clinic (Pueblo): Modified Operations – Virtual care for all scheduled routine appointments. If you feel that you need to be evaluated in person, please call and schedule a face-to-face appointment prior to arriving at this site of care.
• Salida VA Clinic: Closed for face-to-face appointments as of 4/01, continuing to provide virtual care
• RMR Outpatient Appointments: Modified Operations – Virtual care for all scheduled routine appointments. If you feel that you need to be evaluated in person, please call and schedule a face-to-face appointment prior to arriving at this site of care.
• RMR elective procedures and OR: no elective procedures

While many of our outlying clinics will be closed, we are committed to providing you care, and we will continue to do so through all available technologies.

 

I am proud to not only serve all of you, but to also call these dedicated VA employees my co-workers. On behalf of all the health care workers on the frontlines fighting this virus, I am asking you to stand with us in keeping our community safe. Protect your health and others by staying home, washing your hands and social distancing. If you have flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath, please call the Nurse Triage Line at (888) 336-8262, option 3.

 

We understand that this time can be stressful and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System stands ready to provide you with the care that you need. If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1.

 

Please take good care of yourself. Thank you for your understanding and thank you for your service.

 

Michael T. Kilmer Director

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System