The Phoenix VA Health Care System has a comprehensive plan in place to protect the health of anyone who visits or works at a VA facility in the area.
Out of an abundance of caution, VA medical facilities across the country are implementing screening measures for signs of respiratory illness and exposure to COVID-19. This protocol will be in place until further notice.
“Onsite, we will use standardized screening questions at strategic entry points and during initial clinical screening,” said Dr. Felipe Gutierrez, Chief, Infectious Diseases at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. “While this may be an inconvenience, we know Veterans will understand that VA is prioritizing their health and well-being. We ask patients to arrive early for appointments and try to limit the number of people you bring with you.”
The Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center will only have the following three entrances for our Veterans to enter our facility — 7th Street/Emergency Department, North ACC/valet entrance, and South ACC/parking garage entrance.
The Phoenix VA Health Care System has implemented visitor restrictions for influenza and will continue to enforce annually. These restrictions include:
Only visitors 15 and older are permitted, including to outpatient appointments
No more than two visitors per Veteran can visit the inpatient units at a time
Do not visit if you are sick or have a fever
Our Community Living Center (CLC) will not allow visitors at this time
The only exceptions will be in compassionate cases, when Veterans are in their last stages of life on hospice units. In those cases, visitors will be limited to a specific Veteran’s room only.
Our CLC is limiting new admissions.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms may call 602-277-5551 if you have questions about visiting the Phoenix VA hospital or one of the clinics. Veterans also have an option of signing into MyHealtheVet to send a message to their health care team. Veterans may also discuss telehealth or video connect to home appointments with providers.
“We have dedicated staff, supplies needed, and are committed to helping keep Veterans safe,” said Dr. Gutierrez. “We receive regular communication from VA Central Office and continue to collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services, state public health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control to ensure Veterans benefit from the latest prevention, testing, and treatment protocols. The good news is simple infection control techniques, like handwashing, covering your mouth and nose while sneezing, and not touching your face appear to be effective in controlling the spread of the virus.”
For updated facility information, visit www.phoenix.va.gov. For the latest COVID-19 information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
