Page 19 - Desert Oracle October 2021

• The following visitor guidelines are currently in place at all SAVAHCS healthcare facilities across southern
Arizona:
o For visitation in our Community Living Center (CLC), please call ahead to inquire whether
visitation is allowed.
o Only one adult family member or visitor will be allowed to visit at a time. Further limitations may
be made on a case-by-case basis.
o Video visits are encouraged (Zoom or Facetime).
o Children under the age of 18 years are not allowed entrance at this time unless they are the
designated caregiver.
o General visitation of inpatient Non-COVID Veterans will be allowed during daily visitation hours
from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
o General visitation for COVID positive patients remains prohibited.
o Ambulatory or outpatient visits are restricted to one caregiver.
o Further exceptions or restrictions may be made depending on individual circumstances.

• SAVAHCS COVID-19 screening process:
o All visitors must be screened for COVID-19. The entry point for inpatient visitors will be limited to
the Building 50 (North) entrance.
o Visitors will be screened at the building entrance with COVID-19 screening questions
o Visitor will be prohibited from entering SAVAHCS facilities if they report recent COVID-19
exposure or symptoms.

• COIVD-19 Infection Prevention Requirements:
o Visitors are always required to wear a face mask while at all SAVAHCS health care facilities.
o Visitors will be given instructions regarding specific precautions they must take when visiting
patients, including special considerations related to patients in isolation, requirements for hand-
hygiene and personal protective apparel/equipment, and related information.

• Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for the immunocompromised- On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for
immunocompromised people. SAVAHCS is reaching out to all Veterans and employees whom we know
are immunocompromised. A list of the potential conditions can be found on the CDC website. Veterans
can contact their primary care providers with questions. This authorization allows for a third dose of either
the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines only.
o The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) provides Moderna vaccine. If you
received a Pfizer vaccine previously, please find a Pfizer location within the community.

• To get the latest information COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates at the SAVAHCS, you can visit the
Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 National Summary Web Page at
https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/Healthcare/COVID19NationalSummary.
• The Arizona Department of Health Services data dashboard provides the most up-to-date information on
the spread of COVID-19 in Arizona. It can be accessed HERE
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Interim Public Health
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. For the time being, masking requirements remain
in place for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated employees, patients, and visitors at the
SAVAHCS facilities across southern Arizona.
• Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Saguaro Primary
Care Clinic located on the first floor in building 80.