Page 18 - Desert Oracle September 2021

o Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
o Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
o Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. The more people you are in contact with, the more
likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
o Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• 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.

4 MISSION
th
• The SAVAHCS has an agreement with Indian Health services (IHS) to provide 4 beds (2 COVID and 2
non-COVID), based on bed availability through 2021.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

• Northwest Tucson VA Clinic activation date has been pushed back to early October due to IT upgrades
and permitting issues.
o 9 Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) lead by a provider that works collaboratively with other
healthcare professionals to provide for all the patient's healthcare needs for lifelong health and
wellness
o 77 VA health care providers and staff
o 33 patient exam rooms
o 3 patient consult rooms
o 1 physical therapy consult room
o Complete Clinical Laboratory
• Expanding the Mental Health Clinic in Building 90 (13,000 square feet)
o Remodel Agave Clinic into a PACT model
o New Entry into MH Clinic, create a Vet Waiting Area, and Vet Break Room
• Renovating the Pathology Services area in Building 38 (currently 70% completed)
• We are in the design phase of remodeling the Emergency Department in Building 50
o Adding a CT and X-Ray suite

NATIONAL VHA NEWS

VA expands mandate for COVID-19 vaccines among VHA employees

• Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough will expand his previous COVID-19 vaccine
mandate Friday, Aug. 13, to apply to most Veterans Health Administration employees and volunteers and
contractors who work in VHA facilities, visit VHA facilities or otherwise come into contact with VA patients
and healthcare workers as part of their duties.