April 6, 2020
At the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, we are committed to serving our Veterans. As part of that commitment, we are doing everything we can to prepare for the COVID-19 virus and its impact on our patients. Here are some things you need to know:
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Call before you come- all non-urgent appointments are being rescheduled, and we ask that Veteran call us at 1-888-557-8262 or 573-686-4151 before coming to the main medical center or any of the outpatient clinics. We have several options for providing care without you having to visit the facility, and want to select the one that best-serves and best-protects you and your family.
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If you are not enrolled for VA health care services but you are a Veteran and wish to be seen at a VA facility, please bring your DD-214 military discharge papers when you come.
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COVID-19 testing- We do have the ability to test for COVID-19, but are prioritizing the testing based on CDC recommendations, to use for those needing inpatient care.
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Facility Screening is Underway - All individuals who come to the main medical center or the outpatient clinics (West Plains, Farmington, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Missouri or Paragould, Pocahontas, Arkansas) will be asked a series of "screening" questions. Appropriate action will follow the answers to the questions.
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Remember Secure Messaging- If you are an authenticated MyHealtheVet user, you can send a Secure Message to your care team, and ask for information or assistance. In-person authentication has temporarily been paused to prevent Veterans from being unnecessarily exposed, but Veterans can still upgrade their My HealtheVet accounts to Premium status online using a Sign-In Partner (DS Logon Premium or ID.me) or through verification through video conference, if available. More information about how to upgrade to a Premium account using a Sign-In Partner can be found on the My HealtheVet website: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/upgrading-your-my-healthevet-account-through-in-person-or-online-authentication
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Visitor restrictions- to protect our Veterans, we are not allowing visitors on our nursing home or acute care floors. Only Veteran patients will be brought into the COVID-19 clinic or urgent care. And no one under the age of 18 will be admitted, including infants.
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Animals- For your safety, only ADA certified animals will be allowed on station.
Everything we do is to provide better care for you. We are honored to serve you. Thank you for your service, and thank you for choosing VA.
Libby Johnson
Incident Commander
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