VA Bedford Healthcare System

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Situation Update

As of Wednesday, December 16, 2020 4:08 PM EST

STATUS
All VA Bedford Healthcare System locations - Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Lynn, Haverhill, and Gloucester community based outpatient clinics - are fully open with COVID safety precautions in place.

COVID SYMPTOMS
If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, call Patient Care at 800-VETMED1 (800-838-6331), option 2, or log in to MyHealtheVet to send a secure message to your primary care provider before visiting our facilities.

COVID TESTING
Your provider may require COVID testing prior to certain procedures, or, the results of your screening may indicate testing is needed. Or perhaps you need a COVID test to travel. Make your appointment by calling the Patient Care Line at 800-VETMED1 (800-838-6331), option 2. If you are tested for COVID-19 at a community healthcare facility or contacted by local healthcare officials, please let them know you receive care through VA Bedford.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS *NEW
We’ll have a limited amount of the COVID-19 vaccine to start and have worked with the CDC and other federal partners to develop a phased plan. Our goal is to do the most good for the most people during this time. Under this plan, we’ll first offer vaccines to these two groups:

• Veterans living in our long-term care facilities, and
• VA health care personnel. Vaccinating our high-risk VA health care personnel helps us continue providing care for Veterans.

After the first two groups, we’ll begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Your VA health care team will contact you if you’re eligible to get a vaccine during this time. We’re working to get COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans as quickly and safely as possible. Visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ to sign up to help us understand your interest in getting a vaccine when one is available to you. We’ll send you updates on how we’re providing vaccines across the country—and when you can get your vaccine if you want one.

CARE FROM HOME
Meet with your provider in the comfort of your home through VA telehealth visits, where providers interact with patients over the phone or onscreen using a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Ask your provider about telehealth options for your next visit.

APPOINTMENTS
Call 800-VETMED1 (800-838-6331), option 2, to make, change, or cancel an appointment. Virtual appointments currently scheduled will remain virtual unless you are notified otherwise by your provider. You may also request an appointment through MyHealtheVet.
We ask that you wait outside the facility until five minutes prior to your appointment time. If your mobile number is on file, you can notify the clinic of your arrival by texting here to 53079.
For continued safety, please exit the facility as soon as your appointment is over. Provider approval prior to your appointment is required to have caregivers, friends, or escorts accompany you.

SCREENING
Every person who enters our facilities will be asked certain questions to screen for COVID-19 symptoms. Be prepared for delays at facility entrances. To reduce wait times, ease stress, and lower exposure risk, text the word screen518 to 53079 to take advantage of our digital screening tool.

UNIVERSAL MASKING *UPDATED
Surgical masks that cover the nose and mouth are required in all our facilities, and will be provided to all patients entering our facilities. Bandannas, gaiters, cloth facemasks, and masks with valves will not be permitted for use within VA Bedford facilities. Veterans who refuse to wear the mask provided by VA will need to leave the facility and contact their provider to schedule a virtual visit. Veterans with extenuating medical circumstances should discuss their situation with their provider before arrival.

PHARMACY *UPDATED
For safety and infection prevention purposes, Veterans should refrain from face-to-face visits to the Pharmacy to refill prescriptions, unless an emergency situation exists. The Pharmacy is operating under an all mail-order system in order to limit exposure to COVID-19. Veterans may request refills and renewals as follows:

• Call Patient Care at 800-VETMED1 (800-838-6331), option 1
• Contact your provider through MyHealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov – choose “Ask a Pharmacist”
• By mail - complete the refill slip in your shipment and return it by mail to the address on the slip

PLAN AHEAD: Please allow 10-14 days for routine prescription delivery.

NOTE PRESCRIPTION LIMITATIONS: VA Pharmacy cannot send patients greater than 30-day fills of controlled substances, supply items (wound care, urologic products, etc.), and certain high-risk medications. VA Bedford Pharmacy will not fill more than a 90 days’ supply of maintenance medications or honor early refills.

VISITATION
The Community Living Centers have rolled back to Phase 1 of the Opening Up America Again plan and all visitation has been suspended. Visitors to Veterans in palliative care are allowed on a case-by-case basis. Contact the unit social worker or nurse manager for details.

URGENT CARE CLINIC
Our Urgent Care Clinic provides medical care for patients who need immediate attention for medical or mental health illness and/or minor injuries. Urgent Care accepts walk-ins, but we encourage Veterans to call Patient Care at 800-VETMED1 (800-838-6331), option 2, to make a same-day appointment or receive an evaluation over the phone. Urgent Care is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on federal holidays and weekends. This includes Dec. 24.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time. The latest information on VA’s response to COVID-19 is available at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.