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Dear Veterans,
Over the past several months, we all have needed to adjust our behaviors at home, at work and in our communities in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many of us have stayed home, wore masks to shop for essential items, physically distanced from our loved ones – all to be safe and stay well.
Just as Florida is taking a phased approach to reopen our state, so too is the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.
Beginning the week of May 25, 2020 we will gradually and safely begin to resume select services, such as certain elective procedures and specialty care appointments. You will be contacted by our care teams to schedule these appointments.
Because it is still important to take precautions to limit exposure to and the spread of COVID-19 or other illnesses, the following safety measures have been implemented until further notice:
- We will continue to limit the number of patients who come to our facilities for health care. We encourage Veterans to continue to use our virtual care options (Telehealth, VA Video Connect, VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center) for most primary care and mental health services. Those who need an in-person appointment will be scheduled by their care team.
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Everyone is required to wear a face covering in our facilities. Patients and their caregivers are permitted to wear homemade or cloth masks if they are clean and fully cover the lower part of the face (nose to chin). If you do not have a mask on entry, VA will provide one to you. Employees will wear VA issued surgical masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on their job.
- We will continue strict entry point health screening, including taking of temperatures, for all prior to entry in our facilities. Please allow a bit of extra time for this process.
- If a caregiver must drive, you to the medical center or clinic they will not be permitted to accompany you to your appointment unless medically required. Provisions have been made for them to wait in a “cell phone” lot or other location until you are ready for pick-up.
- We are streamlining check-in processes, using VetText and other advance notifications to limit the time spent in waiting rooms. Patients are asked to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.
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Visitations are prohibited in our Community Living Centers, Domiciliary, and other inpatient locations; exceptions may be made in compassionate cases. This measure remains in place to protect those who are most vulnerable.
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Patients undergoing medical procedures will be tested for COVID-19 prior to surgery. Patients who are admitted to residential units (Community Living Centers or inpatient Mental Health programs) will also be tested prior to admission.
- We have made changes to waiting areas, check-in desks and other common spaces to encourage physical distancing. Please maintain a 6-foot separation between you and others where possible. Additional space between seating, plexiglass panels, limited elevator capacity, visual markings on floors are just a few of the changes you will notice at our facilities.
- While we have always strived to provide a clean environment, we are taking additional measures such as frequent cleaning of high-touch services like doorknobs, handrails, countertops and vinyl seating and removing of magazines and other paper documents from waiting areas. As a reminder, washing your hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) is still the best way to clean your hands. However, if that is not possible, additional hand hygiene stations are located throughout our facilities.
Please remember that if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to somebody who has tested positive for the virus, you should call before visiting our facilities. The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center (1-877-741-3400) is available around the clock to answer your health questions or concerns from the comfort and convivence from home. Services include general administrative support, nurse advise and triage, virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone or VA Video Connect.
Your safety is our priority. The changes we have implemented are designed to uphold our commitment to you to provide high quality, safe care. We will continue to keep you informed as we work our way back to the new normal, and we thank you for your patience during these trying times.
Sincerely,
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
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