Page 21 - Desert Oracle March 2022

SAVAHCS Director’s Report:

March 2022
LOCAL UPDATE

SAVAHCS/VA Updates
• Stanford Medicine reported in a new study that Veterans taken by ambulance to a VA hospital had
a 20% better survival rate in the next 30 days than those taken to a non-VA hospital. The advantage
was even greater for Black and Latino Veterans. The study included outcomes of more than 580,000
Veterans older than 65 who were rushed to the hospital between 2001 and 2018. Read Study shows
survival advantage for Veterans who receive VA emergency care from the VA on the Vantage Point
Blog to learn more about this study.
• VA Research studies found that COVID-19 increases risk of cardiovascular problems and mental
health issues. The study was one of the first of its kind on the long-term impact of COVID-19. To learn
more read the VA research spells out COVID's down-the-road risks for cardiovascular and mental
health in the VA Research Currents.
• COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations continue to trend downward- Both Veteran and
SAVAHCS staff COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly decline.
• SAVAHCS still operating on a contingency status for staff- following CDC guidance for healthcare
personnel exposed to COVID-19 by decreasing the amount of time symptomatic, COVID positive staff are
required to isolate and quarantine.
o CDC guidance can be found at Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with
SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 The CDC guidance provides a summary
of updates for healthcare personnel exposed to COVID-19.
• SAVAHCS is increasing capacity due to declining COVID-19 positivity rate/hospitalizations
o Rescheduling postponed non-elective surgeries
o Re-opened Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center re-opened on February 14
o Mental health inpatient residency program re-opened on February 28
• We are encouraging Veterans to use the latest technology to connect with their health care teams.
Veterans that have questions on how to use virtual technology, please have them reach out to their
primary care team.
o Telephone or Video Appointments – Veterans may receive care at home, either over
the phone or via video using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or
tablets. 18 years and older. visit mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect or call your primary
care team to learn more.
o Veterans can save time by using MyHealtheVet for all routine healthcare needs.
Veterans can make medical appointments, contact providers, and request prescription
refills. To learn more, contact the SAVAHCS MyHealtheVet Coordinator at (520) 792-
1450 extension 1-6889.
o Prescription Refills – Veterans may request prescription refills, order, and have
medications mailed to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app.
Download the app at va.gov/app/rx-refill, or call 1-800-470-8262 and press 1.
o VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22) Nurse Advice Line at 1-877-252-
4866- Veterans can call 24/7 to connect with a registered nurse for any routine health
care questions or concerns over the phone.
• SAVAHCS COVID-19 Visitor Policy Subject to Change - Our visitor policy is subject to change at any
time. We will keep all our stakeholders informed of these changes via our Tip of the Week email,
SAVAHCS social media, and our public website.