Cheyenne VA Medical Center Update

News & Announcements

Dear Fellow Veterans and family members,

Summer is on its way!  We pray that you remain healthy, safe and are able to get out to enjoy the sunshine!  Our staff at the Cheyenne VA are looking forward to seeing you, but please be sure to wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities.

As always, if there is something you would like me to address, please reach out via email at samuel.house2@va.gov or call me at 307-778-7523

Below are some updates :

New Emergency Room Notification Number

The VA has moved to using a single Emergency Room Notification Number for the entire nation beginning today!  If you find yourself in a non-VA Emergency Room, call 1-844-724-7842 within 72 hours.  If you are beneficiary travel eligible, the VA may pay for ambulance transportation.  All prescriptions must be filled by VA or a VA Network Pharmacy.  Once you are released from the Emergency Room or hospital, your authorization for care ends. ALL follow-up care must be coordinated with your VA Primary Care Team. We have notified all hospitals in the region; however, we encourage every Veteran and their caregiver to keep this number in their wallet.

Veterans Transportation Service

The Veterans Transportation Service is still available to get Veterans to VA appointments. To schedule a ride, please call 307-433-3735 or 307-432-3804.  DAV transportation will be available on Monday, June 15, and can be reached at 307-778-7555.

Call Before You Come

(Unless you are coming to the Emergency Department)

To best serve all our Veterans for routine care and to properly prepare to meet all your needs, we request that you please call before you come to YOUR VA facility:

• Cheyenne 307-778-7550 Press 2
• Loveland 970-962-4900 Press 2
• Fort Collins 970-224-1550 Press 2
• Toll Free 888-483-9727 Press 2
  • After pressing 2 (the first time)
    • Press 1 for automated appt. info.
    • Press 2 for Primary Care
    • Press 3 for Mental Health
    • Press 4 for Specialty
    • Pres 5 for Mobile Clinic Providers
• For serious injury always call 911

Volunteer DAV Transportation Drivers Wanted

• Purpose of Assignment:  Volunteer is responsible for operation of the DAV Transportation Van taking eligible veterans to and from the Cheyenne VA Medical Center for medical appointments
• Using Service:  Voluntary Service and the DAV hospital Service Coordinator
• Department and Location:  Building 1, DAV Transportation office
• Site Supervisor:  Chief, Voluntary Service and Hospital Service Coordinator
• Minimum Time Requirement:  5 to 12 hours at least once a mouth
• Specific Duties:  Volunteer will operate a DAV donated van, maintain required records, use the  van’s cell phone if needed, observe all safety policies and precautions, vehicle maintenance, (pre-during-after scheduled and  unscheduled emergency) and educate passengers on VA and DAV rules, regulations and policies.  Passenger safety is the central responsibility of all drivers
• Qualifications and Training Required:  Valid Wyoming, Colorado, or Nebraska driver’s license; proof of insurance; and completion of safety training, physical, and background check.
• If interested in being a driver for the Cheyenne VAMC, please call one of the following numbers:  Voluntary Service: 307-778-7317, DAV Transportation Office: 307-778-7577

Question regarding COVID Testing

A few weeks ago, I received a question via email asking-- as the result of increased availability of tests, if the VA has a plan to acquire and test the Veteran population to either confirm or deny infection, assist with national level tracking, and to alleviate fears.

Answer: No, the VA does not have plans currently to test Veterans who do not have a medical reason to be tested; however... any Veteran who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 should discuss their concerns with their Primary Care Team or present to the Emergency Department.  A Veteran's Primary Care Provider can put in an order for testing.  We do test individuals who are admitted for procedures or present with symptoms. At this time, we will not test individuals who are physically well and have no medical need to be tested, but we encourage everyone to continue to social distance and follow precautions.   

Mobile App: COVID Coach

The COVID Coach app was created for everyone, including Veterans and Service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.  For more information, please click here.

Audiology

The Cheyenne VA Audiology Department is pleased to be able to provide SCHEDULED curbside appointments to our veterans for hearing aid cleanings and repairs.  All appointments MUST be scheduled in advance. To schedule an appointment, please call the preferred site at the following numbers:

• Cheyenne and Sidney: 307-778-7550 ext.: 7634
• Fort Collins: 970-224-1550 ext.: 2426
• Loveland: 970-962-4900 ext.: 2154

Home Telehealth

The Cheyenne VA Region Home Telehealth Team provides ongoing assessment, monitoring and case management of Veterans in their home.  The program assists providers to provide “just in time” care for Veterans. For more information on Home Telehealth and to download a free cookbook, click here, or contact one of our Home Telehealth Care Coordinators listed on the website.   

Increasing Comfort with Wearing Face Coverings during COVID-19

The following is a great article I was asked to share

Wearing face coverings over your nose and mouth, like masks, bandannas, or scarves, may help stop the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.  Wearing a face covering during daily activities is new for many people, and for some it causes difficulty or distress. The recommendation to wear face coverings in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 might last a long time. If you find it difficult to wear a face covering, becoming more comfortable with this new routine is more important than ever.

To increase your comfort with wearing a face covering, it can help to understand why wearing one is difficult for you. The reasons can vary from person to person and may include:

- Physical reactions: You may have physical reactions when wearing a face covering, such as lightheadedness and changes in breathing. You may feel claustrophobic---like you are trapped---especially if you are not used to covering your nose and mouth. Feelings of anxiety or panic when wearing a face covering may be more likely to occur if you are already feeling higher stress due to the pandemic.

-Difficulty communicating: Face coverings can muffle voices and make reading facial expressions challenging. This might make you may feel frustrated, confused, or potentially unsafe.

-Novel experience or social pressures: You may feel anxious or strange wearing a face covering during your daily activities because it is something new. You may also worry about what other people think of you for wearing a face covering.

-Questioning requirements or expectations for wearing face coverings: You may feel upset or resistant because you, or those you care about, believe face coverings are unnecessary. Or you may feel having to wear them infringes on personal rights.

-Concerns about bias: If you feel you face cultural bias due your race, ethnicity, or for other reasons, you may believe wearing a face covering will make it worse.

-Concerns about misinterpretation: You may be concerned that wearing a face covering makes it look like you have criminal intentions.

-Physical discomfort: You may become frustrated, feel unsafe, or feel pain due to wearing a face covering for a long period of time. This may be especially true if your face covering makes your eyeglasses fog up, blocks your vision, or irritates your skin.

What happens when you feel uncomfortable or distressed?

If someone is uncomfortable wearing a face covering, they may totally or partly remove it. They may even leave the situation where the face covering is required. Taking steps like these---removing a face covering or leaving a situation that is safe but uncomfortable---is called avoidance. Avoidance may reduce stress in the short term, but over the long term, avoidance actually makes discomfort worse.  It will make wearing a face covering more challenging over time. If many people avoid using face

coverings, it raises the risk that COVID-19 will spread. On a personal level, it may prevent you from doing things you need to do, like grocery shopping, going to work, or visiting your doctor.

There are many effective ways to help make wearing face coverings more comfortable.

Practice wearing your face covering. Create a plan and schedule to wear your face covering in order to gradually learn to become more comfortable. Over time, transition from wearing your face covering while sitting at home for a few minutes to wearing it in public settings for longer periods of time. For example:

• Gradually transition to wearing your face covering securely: At home, start by holding your face covering to your face. Next, gradually transition to putting it on loosely and eventually to attaching it securely.
• Gradually increase time: Wear your face covering for 5 minutes and then increase the time by 5 minutes. Do this step by step until you can wear your face covering comfortably for as long as you need to wear it.
• Gradually change location: Wear your face covering at home for your first few practices. Gradually transition to your neighborhood and other public areas.
• Gradually increase activity: Wear your face covering while sitting still initially. Over time, increase your activity (sitting, standing, going for a walk, talking with others).

If you find a practice session very difficult, repeat that same session or lower the intensity (time, location, or activity) and try again.

Choose meaningful and reassuring thoughts to help with any difficulty wearing your face covering. Thoughts are powerful and directly influence emotion. Notice when you have negative thoughts about wearing your face covering. Practice using positive thoughts instead. For example:

• “I am breathing all of the air that I need while wearing my face covering.”
• “Wearing a face covering is new for everyone. We will figure this out together.”

Remind yourself of your larger values and goals for wearing a face covering. Focusing on your larger values and goals for wearing a face covering can help you to shift perspective and wear a face covering more comfortably. For example:

• “Wearing a face covering is something that I can do to help my community and protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19.”
• “Wearing a face covering will allow me to go grocery shopping and take care of my family.”

Use distraction, relaxation, or mindfulness techniques while wearing your face covering.

• Do something distracting to shift your focus, such as listening to music, planning your next meal, or intentionally focusing on the task in front of you.
• Learn and practice a relaxation or mindfulness exercise that you can use while wearing your face covering. For example, practice slowed breathing: take a normal inhale breath and exhale slowly over 5 seconds while thinking of the word “calm.”
• Try a mobile app like COVID Coach or Mindfulness Coach to help you practice self-care. To learn more about free apps that you may find helpful, go to: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/index.asp

Check your face covering fit and try different types of face coverings. Make sure that your cloth face covering material is breathable.

• Consider making your own cloth face covering using a design or fabric that you enjoy.
• Try face coverings with head ties and ear loops to see which you prefer.
• See CDC.gov/coronavirus for guidance on face coverings.

Seek support. Talk with your loved ones and support network about difficulties and experiences wearing face coverings. Have them support you in person or virtually as you practice becoming more comfortable.

• Contact your healthcare provider if you are having trouble with wearing face coverings, especially if you have any medical or mental health conditions. Your healthcare provider can also help you to increase your comfort with wearing your face covering.

Be patient with yourself. Learning something new takes time and effort.

Thank you for caring for yourself, loved ones, and the community by wearing face coverings.