Alert
Important updated visitor restrictions at ALL VAPORHCS facilities. NO VISITORS ARE ALLOWED. Outpatients and those having procedure done may have one person as a driver / caregiver; no one under 18 allowed. Please read for more detail. More Details
Coronavirus
For VA-specific information: Read our coronavirus FAQs and public health response, or use our coronavirus chatbot.
Prepare for a visit: Everyone entering our facilities is screened, and visitors are limited. Face coverings are mandatory: we encourage you to bring your own, or you can use one we provide. Please contact us first before going to any of our locations. For some needs, you may be able to get care at home by phone or video.
For the latest coronavirus information: Visit the CDC website.
Important information from VA Portland
Masks are required to be worn by all patients, caregivers, escorts and staff while on VA Portland facility property.
Masks are required to be worn by all patients, caregivers, patient escorts, and staff while on VA Portland facility property.
Why should we all wear masks?
According to the CDC, in light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms.
As care gradually resumes at VAPORHCS, more staff and patients will be present. This makes physical distancing challenging, which could result in asymptomatic spread.
What does this mean for patients here for appointments?
- Outpatients, if not already wearing a mask, should be offered a cloth or paper mask and asked to wear it while present in VAPORHCS settings. Veterans can keep the mask for reuse in the community.
- We understand that there will be some patients who will not be able to tolerate wearing a mask; staff providing direct care to these patients will wear appropriate personal protection equipment accordingly.
Here is a link to a CDC web page that addresses the "Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19" including...
- How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering
- CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings
- Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly?
- How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering?
- Sew and No Sew Instructions
Thank you for your support in the new mask policy; your assistance will help keep your fellow Veterans and VA staff and everyone's loved ones safer.
Refill by your Prescriptions by Smartphone App
The Rx Refill mobile application (app) allows Veterans to request refills of their refillable VA-issued prescriptions, track VA prescription deliveries, view VA prescription history from the convenience of their mobile device. The app provides a native mobile interface for the Rx Refill feature found within My HealtheVet. Refill requests submitted through the app or the My HealtheVet website that are dispensed by a VA Mail Order Pharmacy are easily tracked using the app’s “Track Delivery” feature. NOTE: VA is undergoing an Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM), which may impact whether My HealtheVet and Rx Refill applications are operational at your facility. To Learn more about EHRM, visit at www.ehrm.va.gov.
Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know
Veterans, please use MyHealtheVet or call VA Portland at 503-220-8262, option 2 to relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team or to make change or cancel an appointment.
To help us address the most urgent needs first, we ask that you use our online tools and frequently asked questions for routine or non-urgent questions. We’ll continue to update this page as the situation changes.
What's coronavirus COVID-19?
The CDC defines COVID-19 as a new type of coronavirus (or “novel coronavirus”). COVID-19 belongs to a large family of viruses that are common in people and different animal species. On rare occasions, animal coronaviruses can infect people, and then spread from person-to-person. This is how COVID-19 started. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
To learn more about COVID-19, prevention steps, guidance for high-risk groups, travelers, and more, visit the CDC.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, call your VA medical center before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room. You can also send your doctor a secure message through My HealtheVet.
Contacting us first helps us protect you, medical staff, and other patients.
Use MyHealtheVet or call VA Portland at 503-220-8262, option 2 to relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team or to make change or cancel an appointment.
Visit the CDC to learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19.
What's VA doing to deal with COVID-19?
We have activated VA’s emergency management coordination cell (EMCC), and have started clinical screenings at all VA facilities. Learn about VA’s public health response
Can I be tested for COVID-19?
Testing is based on many factors, including the severity of symptoms, other existing illnesses or conditions, possible exposure, and other criteria. VA health facilities have been testing Veterans who meet the testing criteria provided by the CDC.
What should I do if I have an upcoming VA health appointment?
For routine appointments, we recommend using telehealth (phone or video) for your scheduled appointment. You can also cancel and reschedule your appointment for a later date.
If you have a non-urgent elective procedure scheduled, we may contact you to cancel or reschedule for a later date. Note: Urgent and emergent procedures will continue as scheduled.
To change your in-person appointment to a telehealth visit:
- Use Secure Messaging through My HealtheVet to send a message to your provider.
- Use the VA appointments tool to schedule a telehealth appointment online. (Available only for some types of health services.)
- Call VA Portland at 503-220-8262, option 2 to relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team or to make change or cancel an appointment.
How do I reschedule or cancel my upcoming VA appointment?
Some clinics are advising patients to not reschedule or schedule new appointments for some types of routine care. Please use MyHealtheVet or call VA Portland at 503-220-8262, option 2 to relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team or to make change or cancel an appointment.
What should I do if I need to refill my prescription?
If you currently get your prescription sent to you by mail, you’ll continue to receive your refills as normal. If you usually pick up your prescriptions in person, we encourage you to use our online prescription refill and tracking tool. To make sure you have your medicine in time, request your refill at least 10 days before you’ll run out of your current prescription.
For questions about your prescriptions, send a secure message to your provider through My HealtheVet.
Here is VA Portland's Pharmacy web page with contact info and other details.
Can I use emergency/urgent care?
If you’re experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest ER / ED.
Don't forget about Urgent Care options in your community for eligible Veterans.
If you have an urgent/emergent care need, we ask that you contact us first. Call VA Portland at 503-220-8262, option 2 to relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team or "0" and ask for Emergency Department. By not using the ED/ER for nonmedical emergencies, you can help us protect you, medical staff, and other patients, as well as help us address critical medical needs first during this period of COVID-19 outbreak.
Symptoms that may need emergency medical (immediate) attention include:
- Chest pain
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or on one side of your body
- Severe fever or violent vomiting
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
Symptoms that may need urgent care attention (within 24 to 48 hours) include:
- Sore throat, earache
- Sprains or strained muscles from sports or exercise
- Minor cuts and injuries
I don’t have symptoms, but I feel anxious and overwhelmed. What can I do?
Concerns about COVID-19 can be stressful for many people, and it’s understandable to feel anxious. It’s important to take steps to manage stress and take care of yourself.
- Stay connected and healthy. Stay in touch with friends and family by phone and social media, and get enough sleep and exercise. Visit the CDC to learn about managing stress and anxiety about COVID-19.
- Get more tips. The National Center for PTSD has created a guide for managing stress associated with COVID-19.
For more details about guidance for high-risg groups, travelers, COVID-19 resources for the community and more...
CDC COVID-19 Website
Learn more »
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Events & Classes
Caregiver Mindfulness-Based Dial-In Support Group
(CANCELED)
Jul 16, 2020
1:00 PM
-
2:00 PM
(PST)
Phone call-in 800-767-1750 Access Code: 19041#
Guided Rest on-line Caregiver Support
Jul 17, 2020
10:30 AM
-
11:30 AM
(PST)
Via Phone; 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 19685#
iRest® Yoga Nidra Meditation Cancer Support Group
Jul 17, 2020
11:00 AM
-
12:30 PM
(PST)
Portland VA Medical Center, Bldg 101, Rm 109, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR 97239
Email Updates
Telephone Care:
- 503-220-8262
24 hours per day - 800-949-1004
24 hours per day - More toll-free numbers
