The VA is located adjacent to Tripler. (Courtesy photo)
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
News Release
HONOLULU – The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is committed to providing high-quality care while keeping Veterans safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19) starting June 15, 2020, we will begin opening more face-to-face appointments. The safety of Veterans and staff is our number one priority.
“Due to COVID-19 safety measures for our Veterans have been put into place, we are honoring current distancing guidelines while we open more face-to-face appointments,” said Dr. Kathryn Ryder, acting director, VAPIHCS, “To minimize any confusion we are asking Veterans with appointments to call to confirm before coming to the facility at 1 800-214-1306. We will continue offering video and telehealth appointments to meet most of our Veterans’ health care needs and only offer face to face appointments when it is in the best health interest of the patient.”
Veterans will receive a reminder phone call from a VA medical assistant regarding their appointments, we will discontinue sending letters, texts, or postcard reminders at this time.
Safety measures at all VAPIHCS clinics
There are many ways that we are making sure all of our clinics are safe and clean. Here are some of the safety measures we have in place:
- Masks on. We are requiring all people to arrive with and wear a facial covering at all times in our clinics. Youmust wear a facial covering before being screened by our staff. We have no authority to allow anyone in our clinics without a mask. This is a VA requirement for all VA facilities.
- Please do not wear a mask with a valve. They do not prevent the spread of germs and are not allowed to be worn in the building.
- Visitors and children will not be allowed into our facilities; they will need to wait outside in a designated area or their vehicle. We will continue to allow medical attendants if required to assist the Veteran.
- Deep cleaning and disinfecting. Exam room surfaces and equipment are cleaned between each patient visit, and common areas are cleaned multiple times each day.
- Keeping physical distance. We are arranging lobbies and other common areas to encourage physical distancing and will do our best to get you in and out as quickly as possible so that you can avoid waiting in common areas.
- Separating patients who might have COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms will be screened either outside in their vehicles or in a designated outside area so that they will not be in common clinic areas and clinic exam space. If you believe you have symptoms associated with COVID-19, please call before arriving.
If you need to be seen face to face, we ask you to remember:
- We recommended parking in the parking garage.
- Patients who arrive earlier than 15 minutes before theirscheduled appointment time may be asked to wait in their vehicle or a designated area outside.
- If you need physical assistance, someone can assist you. Please ask our schedulers how you should contact us once you arrive.
- Emotional support animals will NOT be permitted.
- Patients will be asked to pick up any pharmaceuticals in the drive-thru pharmacy after their appointment.