VA Portland Health Care System

Situation Update

As of Monday, September 21, 2020 9:32 AM PDT

Visitor restrictions and screening at entrances are in effect at ALL VA Portland facilities.

Help us limit the spread of COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses to our Veterans and your loved ones.

VA Portland Health Care System operations are adapting due to the emergence of the COVID-19 virus in our community to maintain a healthy environment for our Veterans, family members, and staff.

The following visitation safeguards are currently in place:

• Visitors/guests are not allowed in any site of care, with very limited exceptions*.

• Outpatients should come to VA appointments alone, if possible.
• *If necessary for needed support, Veterans coming to the hospital or any clinic for healthcare/procedure can bring one adult family member/caregiver with them who is not sick.

• No one under the age of 18 is permitted.

• Masks are required to be worn by all patients, caregivers, escorts and staff while on VA Portland facility property.

• Visitors are not allowed to visit the Community Living Center (CLC) located on the Vancouver VA campus . Visitation is only granted to those who have a Veteran that is currently on hospice care at the CLC, if the visitor is trained to assist with care of the Veteran or is needing to be trained to assist with the Veteran’s upcoming discharge from the CLC. 
• Entrances to the Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA campus facilities will be limited; staff are screening people for symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath before entry.
• Any sick patients must put on a mask immediately upon entering any VAPORHCS facility (ask staff for assistance).
• To assist VAPORHCS in conserving limited resources:
  • Elective surguries/procedures are being cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
  • Dental procurdures that are not urgent or emergent are being cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
  • Veterans to whom this applies are being contacted.
    
  • All Optical Shops are closed for walk-in services; they are located at Portland & Vancouver campuses & Salem & Bend CBOCS.
    • For your eyeglass-related questions or to get a message to the Optical team, use MyHealtheVet messaging or call 503-721-7890, option 3.

All patients and visitors are reminded to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after visitation / appointment.

Exceptions may be made for visitors of patients to include those who are in critical condition or in end-of-life situations.

Additional policies restricting visitors may be put in place on certain specialty units or as conditions warrant.

Visitors/guests can call to speak to inpatients by calling the operator at 503-220-8262, dial 0, and ask for the inpatient/Veteran by name to be transferred.

Veterans - 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.

• Please check VAPORHCS “Current Operating Status” web page for updates as changes to visitation restrictions are likely to occur.
• Sin up to receive updates on the VAPORHCS main web page under “CONNECT WITH VA PORTLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM”

CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

VA Portland Health Care System is prepared to care for patients arriving with respiratory illnesses, and plans are in effect to ensure ongoing preparedness to care for any Veterans suspected of having or confirmed with the newly named COVID-19.

VAPORHCS is actively participating with state and local public health authorities and health systems across the metro area to coordinate a regional response. The goal is to contain the spread of the virus.

The best way for all of us to prevent the spread of the new virus is the same as we prevent the spread of influenza and other viruses: Practice good hand hygiene, observe respiratory etiquette (including by sneezing or coughing into your elbow rather than your hands), and stay home when ill.

With respect to patients and visitors, anyone with respiratory symptoms who thinks they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should first call their health care clinician before going into a clinic, urgent care center or Emergency Department so that provisions can be made to minimize exposure of other patients.

Who to call?

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. 

How it is spread

The virus is most likely spread like other respiratory viruses, so the care that you would normally take to avoid catching the flu is a good start for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The best way for all of us to prevent the spread of the new virus is to practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently, covering your cough or sneeze in your elbow and not your hands, and staying home when ill.

If you feel sick

If you have symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and fever, and your symptoms are mild, we recommend that you stay at home. Remember that it is cold and flu season, so there are many possible causes of these symptoms. If your symptoms are more concerning, please call your primary health care provider (e.g., oncologist, cardiologist, etc.) before coming into a clinic, urgent care center or emergency room. Your primary care provider is your best resource for screening.

Stay home when you are sick                                                      

• Get your flu shot
•  Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and do hand hygiene.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with people who have symptoms of respiratory illness.

Resources

Oregon Health Authority: Emerging Respiratory Disease

CDC: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

CDC: Travel health notices

World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

Stay connect with VAPORHCS to receive up-to date information by signing up on the main VAPORHCS website under “Connect with VA Portland Health Care System” or follow us on Facebook.

If you have any questions about your appointment,

please contact your provider; 503-220-8262, option 2 to make change or cancel an appointment or relay a message to your Primary or Specialty Care team.

The VAPORHCS Alert Line provides up-to-date information on the operating status of the VAPORHCS' 12 sites of care.
Call 24/7 for a recorded message at (503) 721-1458 or (503) 220-8262 ext. 51458, Outside Portland Area (800) 949-1004 ext. 51458.

If you would like to receive automated updates via email, please sign up with your email address on the main VAPORHCS web page under "CONNECT WITH VA PORTLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM."

Thank you.