COVID-19 Update | VA Caribbean Healthcare System

To our Veterans,

First, thank you for your trust over the past several months of this historic coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We all needed to adjust our lives including our behaviors at home and at work, how we receive health care, and in our communities in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19– all to be safe and stay well.

As the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and United States Virgin Islands governments have started to lift some restrictions, the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) is also working to gradually and safely expand clinically indicated in-person services.  However, VACHS will not be expanding in-person services at this time. We will implement such expansion only after the following conditions are sustained over a two-week period:  falling numbers of people in our communities exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, reduced numbers of people testing positive for the virus, and increased testing capacity. These conditions are in accordance to national healthcare experts.   

Since, it is still important to take precautions to limit exposure to and the spread of COVID-19 or other illnesses, we will continue to observe specific safeguards measures until further notice.  These safeguards include:

1. We will continue to manage/control the number of Veterans 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. Patients who need an in-person appointment will be scheduled by their care team. The only exception is the Emergency Department.

2. Everyone is required to wear a face covering in our facilities.  Veterans 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.

 
3. We will continue to control access through strict entry point health screening, to include temperature taking.  We exhort Veterans to answer all COVID-19 related questions conducted by check point staff the best of their ability.  Please be mindful that entering our facilities with COVID-19 symptoms and not disclosing them at the checkpoints puts everyone at risk. Plan to allow extra time for this process.

 
4. We are streamlining check-in processes, using VetText and other advance notifications to limit the time spent in waiting rooms. Veterans will be allowed to enter the San Juan VA Medical Center or clinics only 30 minutes before to their appointment.

 5. Visitation Hours continue to be suspended until further notice; exceptions may be made in compassionate cases.

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 24/7 for urgent care and triage to discuss your concerns.

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.  Your safe care is our mission.

 

CARLOS R. ESCOBAR, BED-Arch, MSHP, FACHE

Executive Director