VA Maryland Health Care System

Situation Update

As of Wednesday, August 5, 2020 8:18 AM EDT

PERRY POINT VA MEDICAL CENTER UPDATE
The local roads leading to the Perry Point VA Medical Center have reopened. The Perry Point truck entrance is now in use and the front entrance is closed. 

MOVING FORWARD
Phase 2 of our Moving Forward Plan to continue expanding health care services to our Veteran patients went into effect July 6. In Phase 1, we expanded limited face-to-face services at the Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Centers and the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic. Phase 2 included the reopening of the remainder of our community based outpatient clinics, the Baltimore VA Annex and most other clinical areas throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System for limited face-to-face services.

For the safety of our patients, we encourage them to continue using our virtual care options (telehealth and video appointments) for specialty care, primary care and mental health services. When scheduling clinic appointments, patients will be informed if it will be a virtual or face-to-face visit and where and how to check-in.

Remember, Veterans needing medical advice can contact the Telephone Care Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-865-2441, and Veterans in crisis can speak with a specially trained responder 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-273-8255, press 1. Additionally, the Emergency Department at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Urgent Care Clinic at the Perry Point VA Medical Center are safe options for receiving urgent health care during this time.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 as we continue to move forward, the following safety measures remain in place at all of our facilities. 

• Screenings: Screenings are occurring using COVID-19-related questions at all sites. You can use your smartphone to answer the screening questions before visiting the VA by texting the word ‘Screen’ to 53079 or visiting va.gov/covid19screen. When you arrive, show your phone to the screener. SCREEN PASS QUESTIONS
• Universal Masking: Patients are required to wear a mask at all times when visiting a VA facility. Patients with a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment will be issued a mask if they do not have one when they arrive.
• Centralized Check-in: The centralized check-in and waiting area for outpatient specialty care clinics at the Baltimore VA Medical Center is located in the Canteen dining area on the 2^nd floor.
• Clinic Check-in Guidance & Locations: Follow the posted signage for clinic check-in guidance and locations at each VA facility.
• Restricted Access: Only patients with a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment will be granted access to VA facilities, except for the Emergency Care Department at Baltimore and the Urgent Care Clinic at Perry Point.
• Visitor Guidelines: Visitors are not authorized, except for the following:
  • Two visitors for end-of-life care and decision making;
  • One escort for patients being discharged from inpatient care;
  • One escort for medically compromised outpatients with an onsite, scheduled appointment;
  • One visitor who has been asked by the inpatient care team to be part of the treatment and discharge planning process. 

REMINDERS

Mail-Order Prescriptions   

To limit the exposure of COVID-19, Pharmacy is continuing with the successful use of mailing new and renewal prescriptions, including express and overnight delivery. The Outpatient Pharmacies at the Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Centers will only honor emergent prescription needs for in-person pick up. All other medications and supplies will be mailed. Veterans have the following options to refill their prescriptions:

• Call the Prescription Refill Line at 410-605-7395. After hearing the greeting, enter your full nine-digit Social Security number followed by the “#” sign. Next, press option “2” for Pharmacy Information, and then press option “1” to order prescription refills.
• Complete and sign the refill request slip you received with your prescription and use the mailing label that was included to send it in to one of our two pharmacies.
• Submit a refill request through My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov.
• If you have no remaining refills, call the Prescription Refill Line at 410-605-7395. After hearing the greeting, enter your full nine-digit Social Security number followed by the “#” sign. Next, press option “2” for Pharmacy Information, and then press option “8” to talk to a pharmacy representative.

Perry Point Campus Closed (Open for Scheduled Appointments and Urgent Care): For the protection of our patients and employees against the spread of COVID-19, the campus of the Perry Point VA Medical Center is closed to the public until further notice. This closure applies to the entire campus, including non-patient areas like the shoreline and walking trails. Only VA employees, outpatients with scheduled clinic appointments, patients visiting the Urgent Care Clinic, residential care patients, residents of the HELP Veterans Village, and authorized deliveries will be granted access to the campus. The Urgent Care Clinic at the Perry Point VA Medical Center remains open.

Remember, help is a phone call away:

Medical Emergencies: If you are having a medical or mental health emergency, dial 911 immediately.

Telephone Care Line: If you need medical advice, call the Telephone Care Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-865-2441 and press 1.

Veterans Crisis Line: If you are a Veteran in crisis, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 800-273-8255, press 1.

Appointment Center: To schedule, change, cancel or confirm a clinic appointment, contact the Appointment Center at 410-605-7333 Monday – Friday from 7:30 am. to 4:30 p.m.

Primary Care: If you would like to speak with a primary care team member, please call 410-605-7777 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Flu-Like Symptoms: If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, call the Telephone Care Line at 800-865-2441, and press 1.

Please be safe, continue to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and contact our Telephone Care Line if you need medical advice.