Situation Update - Memphis VA Medical Center
Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 04/09/2020 11:50 AM EDT|
Memphis VA Medical Center Update |
Memphis VA Medical
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EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS |
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04/09/2020 11:18 AM EDT
Call Before Visiting
If you’re a Veteran seeking medical care, call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 before visiting—even if you already have an appointment. In addition to calling first, consider using virtual care options such as telehealth or My HealtheVet Secure Messaging. Read VA’s latest information on the new coronavirus at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/. CDC Coronavirus Updates https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html The President's Coronavirus Guideline For America https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf Important Facility Updates To reduce the impact of the COVID-19 and other illnesses, Memphis VAMC is asking patients, staff and visitors to help slow the spread of infection. All Memphis VA Medical Center clinics and operations are operating normally EXCEPT for the updated visitor, patient and staff restrictions/guidelines below. Hearing Aid Assistance For hearing impaired veterans having trouble with hearing aids or accessories, the Memphis VA audiologists are available to assist through the following options:
New Screening Tents During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Memphis VA will be adapting to meet CDC guidelines. We will continue to screen all patients and employees before entering the building. Patient screening has been relocated from the Emergency Room entrance to tents staged in the small parking lot adjacent to the Emergency Department. This relocation will provide an improved entry screening process and will allow for greater access, efficiency, and isolation as needed. Temporary Closures UPDATE: Drive-Up Lab Draws Veterans who have an order for a Urine Specimen can now report to the Bed Tower Lab Tent located at the Memphis VA Medical Center’s main campus at 1030 Jefferson Avenue, BED TOWER ENTRANCE. Lab Draws from North or Nonconnah Boulevard Clinics Veterans who need Lab Draws from North or Nonconnah Boulevard Clinics, starting April 8, 2020, will report to the Memphis VA Medical Center’s main campus located at 1030 Jefferson Avenue, BED TOWER ENTRANCE for drive through lab. DRIVE-UP LAB DRAWS: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
UPDATE: Start Date Change for Lab Draws Veterans who need Lab Draws from North or Nonconnah Boulevard Clinics, please see the updated information below:
Should you have questions, call Telephone Care at 901.577.7221. Walk-In and Face-to-Face Clinic Visits at Dyersburg, Savannah, Helena, Jonesboro, Tupelo, and Holly Springs Regarding Memphis VA Medical Center Contract Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) In accordance with the latest recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, VA Central Office, and State and Municipal leaders, effective Monday, March 30, 2020, the following VA Clinics will transition from walk-in and face-to-face visits to virtual appointments by Video and Telephone. Veterans requiring an urgent face-to-face appointment with a provider will be screened by telephone by a provider or nurse for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry to the facility.
For Lab draws:
In accordance with the latest recommendations of the CDC, VACO and community leaders, effective Friday, March 27, 2020, the following VA Clinics will be closed to walk-in and face-to-face visits:
Veterans who do not have a scheduled appointment and have a non-emergent inquiry should call Telephone Care at 901.577.7221. All Veterans who receive care at VA Community Based Clinics outside of the Memphis metropolitan area will be served through a variety of virtual means such as telehealth, telephone, text messages, and My HealtheVet. As an increased precaution, face-to-face interactions will be kept to a minimum. Call the clinic and speak with staff who can determine and coordinate your care needs. Routine medication refills are no longer available for pick up at the Memphis VA Pharmacy. Only urgent prescriptions can be picked up at this location. For Lab draws:
Bed Tower Entrance Closed Effective immediately and until further notice, the Bed Tower Entrance at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center will be closed for use by veterans and visitors for screening purposes. The Emergency Department Entrance and the lower-level Spinal Cord Injury Building Entrance will be the only entrances available for use. The Emergency Department entrance is set aside for use by veterans and visitors for screening purposes. Those entering at this location will be asked standardized screening questions. The lower-level Spinal Cord Injury Building Entrance is set aside for employees only. This action is being taken to ensure the health safety of veterans, staff and visitors. Temporary Change to Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Services To ensure the health and safety of veterans, staff and visitors, effective March 19, 2020 until further notice, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, Disabled American Veterans and Mississippi Veteran Services offices located at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center will no longer receive in-person visits. The staff of these offices will be available to assist veterans at the following phone or email listing:
Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 and until further notice, the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center will be closing the patient and employee dining room seating areas. Customers will be able to purchase take-out food during this time. This action is being taken to ensure the health safety of veterans, staff and visitors. Additional restrictions may be put in place as conditions warrant. Temporary Change to the Human Resources (HR) Career Center The Human Resources (HR) Career Center will be closed until further notice. Visitors and employees can contact the Career Center by calling 901-523-8990 ext. 5928 or emailing Ms. Stephanie McDuffie at Stephanie.Mcduffie@va.gov or emailing HR staff at VHAMEMHRMSStf@med.va.gov Restriction of Visitor Access to the Medical Center The primary focus of the Memphis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is the safety and protection of veterans and staff. As a result, visitors are no longer allowed access to the medical center. Exceptions include one visitor per veteran:
Only visitors without symptoms will be permitted to enter the medical center as dictated by the current situation. No visitors under the age of 18 (including infants) will be permitted. These restrictions apply to all Memphis VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic care locations. Should veterans have any questions, please call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 before visiting the facility. Your understanding and cooperation to help ensure the safety of our veterans and staff is appreciated. Facility Entrances and Hours Effective immediately, the following visitation safeguards are in place: • The Emergency Department and Spinal Cord Injury Building (1st floor), will be the only entrances available for use. • Veterans, If you become sick, stay home and call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 before visiting your clinic or VA facility. • All patients, visitors and staff will be screened for COVID-19 at the designated entrance. • Outpatients should come to appointments alone if possible, but if necessary, please limit the number of individuals accompanying you. The following are the hours of operation for each entrance: Emergency Department Entrance Open 24/7 daily including weekends and holidays Spinal Cord Injury Entrance - 1st Floor (For Employees Only) Monday thru Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. SPECIAL NOTE: Other than the times listed above, the Emergency Department Entrance is to be used. Cancellation of Events While dealing with COVID-19 as a public health threat, for the safety and well-being of veterans and staff, all scheduled events or gatherings that would invite people into the medical center, placing them in close proximity, are being cancelled until further notice. This includes but is not limited to all face-to-face programs and activities that are not designated for specific clinical training such as:
The cancellation or postponement of such events and programs as listed above that do not fall into the category of mission-critical is a temporary action. The intent is to resume these activities after the threat of COVID-19 has subsided. This action is being taken to ensure the health safety of veterans, staff and visitors. Additional restrictions may be put in place as conditions warrant. CBOC Information All CBOCs have limited services. Please see changes below. |
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