Page 15 - Desert Oracle September 2021

SAVAHCS Director’s Report:
September 2021

LOCAL UPDATE

DID YOU KNOW?
• SAVAHCS Outreach Team temporary pause on attending face-to-face Veteran resource fairs and
outreach events- The current uptick of COVID-19 with the highly contagious Delta variant within Arizona
has made it potentially unsafe for our employees in the SAVAHCS Outreach Team to attend face-to-face
Veteran outreach events. At this time, we can support virtual outreach events and resource fairs or
participate virtually in face-to-face events if possible. SAVAHCS Outreach Team can provide VA outreach
materials to hand out at resource fairs. Once we can attend face-to-face outreach events, we will inform
our VSOs and community stakeholders. If you are interested in receiving outreach materials, please
contact the SAVAHCS Public Affairs Office at 520-629-1819.

• Current SAVAHCS COVID-19 Visitor Policy- to protect Veterans, staff, caregivers and visitors during
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) has
implemented a limited visitor policy.
• The following visitor guidelines are currently in place at all SAVAHCS healthcare facilities across southern
Arizona:
o There is a no visitor policy at our Community Living Center (CLC) due to the higher risk patients
that reside in our CLC.
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 visitation is 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.

• The SAVAHCS Afghanistan Veteran Support Group- the SAVAHCS has developed a support group to

assist Veterans in processing their thoughts and feelings about the events in Afghanistan, which will begin