VA Maryland Health Care System

Situation Update

As of Thursday, May 14, 2020 4:09 PM EDT

To All VA Maryland Health Care System Veteran Patients & Visitors:

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we want you to keep you informed with the latest updates on safeguards that we have put in place to protect you and others from the spread of the virus and to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Listed below are the most recent updates. For additional COVID-19-related guidance from the VA Maryland Health Care System, please visit www.maryland.va.gov/COVID-19.asp.

Reopening Plans: The safety of our Veteran patients and employees continues to be our top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are evaluating the latest guidance from VA, the CDC and the Governor’s Office on a regular basis and will begin reopening clinics and services when it is safe and appropriate. There is currently no timeline for when this will occur, but we encourage you to stay up to date with what is happening throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System by:

• Visiting our website at: www.maryland.va.gov
• Calling our COVID-19 Information Line at: 410-605-7384
• Enrolling for Email Updates: visit www.maryland.va.gov and enter your email address under “Connect with VA Maryland Health Care System”
• Visiting our Social Media Pages:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MHVAHCS/
• Twitter: @mdvagov

COVID-19 Testing: The VA Maryland Health Care System is currently only offering COVID-19 testing for hospitalized patients and outpatients who meet specified criteria as determined by a member of the treatment team.

Universal Masking Policy: Patients are required to wear a mask at all times when visiting a VA facility for a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, patients that refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter a VA facility or will be asked to leave if they do not wear a mask while waiting for an appointment or traveling throughout a VA facility. Patients with a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment will be issued a mask when entering the VA facility.

REMINDERS

Outpatient Clinics Closed: All VA Maryland Health Care System outpatient clinics remain closed until further notice to protect against the spread of COVID-19. All routine outpatient clinic visits will be conducted via a telephone or video visit or rescheduled as appropriate, except for oncology, radiation oncology and other specialty care clinic visits that are medically necessary. You will be contacted by your clinical team if your still scheduled for a face-to-face visit.

Perry Point Campus Closed: For the protection of our veteran 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, residential care patients, residents of the HELP Veterans Village, and authorized deliveries will be granted access to the campus.

Visitor Guidance: Visitors are not authorized throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System to protect our patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19, 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 for oncology, radiation oncology or another specialty care clinic appointment;
• One visitor who has been asked by the inpatient care team to attend and be part of the treatment and discharge planning process. 

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 by calling 800-273-8255 and press 1.
• Flu-Like Symptom: 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.

For a full listing of all COVID-19-related updates and guidance from the VA Maryland Health Care System, please visit www.maryland.va.gov/COVID-19.asp. You can also receive COVID-19-updates by calling our VA Maryland Health Care System COVID-19 Information Line at 410-605-7384. (This is a recording only and does not accept voicemails.)

Thank you for your patience and for helping us to keep all Veteran patients, staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

Sincerely,

VA Maryland Health Care System