Page 16 - Desert Oracle December 2020

COVID-19 CLINICAL UPDATE (as of 12-1-2020)

• On Monday (11/16/2020) we reimplemented our Incident Command Center due to the
increase of COVID positive patients and increased local community demands on hospital
resources.
• Due to increased COVID activity within Arizona, we have designated our ICU as COVID
only. The ICU will treat a mix of ICU and Step-Down Unit (SDU) level patients. The SDU
will house non-COVID ICU and SDU-level patients.

• Encouraging Veterans through our Tip of the Week email to utilize virtual care modalities

to stay safe during the current COVID-19 surge in Arizona.

SAVAHCS PREPARES FOR COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

• We started a COVID 19 workgroup to formulate a plan on the eventual distribution of the
COVID 19 vaccine when it becomes available at the SAVAHCS to both staff and Veterans
• We will follow all applicable CDC and VHA guidelines in the equitable distribution of the
COVID-19 vaccine; those with the highest risk for exposure to COVID-19 will have the
opportunity to get the vaccine first.
• Once we have received our allotment of vaccines, we will notify the high-risk Veterans and
staff first of the availability to receive the vaccine.

4 MISSION
th
• We established an agreement with Indian Health services (IHS) to accept up to 4 COVID
and non COVID patient (2 ICU/2 Med Surge) beds based upon availability. Currently, we
are not caring for any IHS patients.
• An agreement between VA and the State of Arizona will allow SAVAHCS to admit 3
COVID humanitarian patients (2 ICU/1 Med Surge) starting November 30th, for a period of
30 days.

COVID-19 TREATMENT TRIAL PROGRAM

• SAVAHCS selected as a site for the ACTIV 3 COVID treatment trial
• It’s a world-wide trial uses an antibody that is directed towards spike protein on COVID
virus
• SAVAHCS is 1 of 20 VA Sites in the trial
• SAVAHCS Infectious Disease MD’s will be the principal investigators.

FLU SHOTS

• Flu shots will be available at the SAVAHCS Tucson Main Campus and our Community
Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
• Veterans can receive their flu shot during a scheduled appointment or during the following
dates and times: