Memphis VA Medical Center

Situation Update

As of Wednesday, August 11, 2021 12:20 PM CDT

All Memphis VA Medical Center clinics and operations are operating normally EXCEPT for the updated visitor, patient and staff restrictions/guidelines below.

August 10, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visitor Access to the Memphis VA Medical Center

MEMPHIS – The primary focus of the Memphis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in response to the COVID-19 Delta variant is the continued safety and protection of Veterans and staff. As a result, additional precautionary measures regarding visitors in the medical center are being taken.

Effective August 12, 2021, and until further notice, visitation limits are one visitor per outpatient with a scheduled appointment and two visitors per day (one visitor at a time) per patient on inpatient wards. Visitation privileges will not be allowed in COVID-19 isolation rooms. No visitors under the age of 18 (including infants) will be permitted. Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. These limitations apply to all Memphis VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic care locations.

For Veterans who require assistance for transportation to an appointment, Veterans Transportation Service can be reached at 901-523-8990 extension 5354 or 5668.

Veterans who have questions should call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 before visiting the facility.

The understanding and cooperation of all to help ensure the safety of our Veterans and staff is appreciated.

*The Memphis VA Medical Center and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are not COVID-19 Testing Centers for the general public.


COVID-19 Vaccination Operation Changes

Effective July 6, 2021 at 08:00, the Bed Tower tent currently used for COVID-19 Vaccination Patient Observation will be dismantled and removed. COVID-19 Vaccination Patient Observation will be moved inside to the Bed Tower vaccination corridor area. Scheduled vaccination dates and times will not be affected by this change.

COVID-19 Face Mask Guidance

• Nonconnah call center 
• HBPC Nonconnah - staff only building 

 
Restriction of Visitor Access to the Medical Center

• The primary focus of the Memphis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is the safety and protection of Veterans and staff. As a result, the general rule is that visitors are not allowed access to the medical center.
• Exceptions would include one visitor per inpatient when a caregiver is required or one visitor for major surgery. For exceptions, the specific visitor will be named in the Veteran’s chart by the care team, and/or the visitor’s name should be given to the security personnel. Only visitors with a negative COVID-19 screen for symptoms and exposure will be permitted to enter the medical center.  No visitors are permitted into the COVID Unit (5E). 
• For Veterans who require assistance for transportation to an appointment, Veterans Transportation Service should be contacted at ext. 5354 or 5668. 
• Veterans who require a driver post-procedure should have the driver’s phone number available for staff prior to the procedure.  Staff should contact the designated driver before the procedure. Drivers cannot wait in the facility.
• No visitors under the age of 18 (including infants) will be permitted.
• These restrictions apply to all Memphis VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic care locations.
• Veterans will not be allowed in the medical facility until 30 minutes before their routine clinic appointments unless on the exclusion list, i.e., surgical procedures.
• Should Veterans have any questions, please instruct them to call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 before visiting the facility. Your understanding and cooperation to help ensure the safety of our Veterans and staff is appreciated.

VA’s resumption of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine following the CDC and FDA decision.

VA will resume offering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years and older, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance, following a 10-day pause recommended by the CDC and FDA after a very small number of people who received the vaccine experienced rare but serious blood clots. After careful review and evaluation, the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe for use and effective in preventing COVID-19. The available data show that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and the chance of blood clots occurring following its administration is very low. Anyone who is offered the J&J vaccine from VA will receive information about the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine, including the rare risk of blood clots and will be made aware of alternative vaccine options. The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to protect those we serve from COVID-19, and VA’s priority remains the safety of all those receiving vaccine from VA, including Veterans, their spouses, caregivers, employees, and federal partners.

COVID-19 Vaccinations to be provided at Memphis VA Medical Center & Community Clinics

Representatives from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, will assist with the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations of Veterans, Spouses of Veterans, Caregivers of Veterans, and CHAMPVA recipients using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a one dose vaccine, on the dates and times listed below.

COVID-19 Vaccinations to be provided at Memphis VA Medical Center & Community Clinics

Representatives from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, will assist with the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations of Veterans, Spouses of Veterans, Caregivers of Veterans, and CHAMPVA recipients using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a one dose vaccine, on the dates and times listed below.

Memphis VA Medical Center Main Campus
May 10, 2021: 8:00 AM -Noon
May 11, 2021: Noon- 4:00 PM
1030 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Call 901-523-8990, push 3 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

Savannah VA Clinic
May 13, 2021: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
70 Harbert Drive North
Savannah, TN 38372
Call 731-727-8390 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

Tupelo VA Clinic
May 19, 2021: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
1114 Commonwealth Blvd
Tupelo, MS 38804
Call 662-840-6366 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

Jackson VA Clinic
May 27, 2021: 9:00 AM - Noon
180 Hickory Boulevard, Suite A
Jackson, TN 38305
Call 901-523-8990, push 3 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.


Change in Check-In Location

Effective, Monday, April 19, 2021, the screening tent, located on the East parking lot at the Memphis VA Medical Center, will be closed.  Patient and visitor check-in will take place at the Emergency Department entrance.

Nonconnah CBOC Changes

• Face Masks are Required to Access VA Facilities
• No Visitors Authorized Without Prior Approval
• Veterans without an in-person appointment will not be allowed to enter the facility
• Patients who need to contact their PACT Team please call Telephone Care at 901-577-7221 or 1-800-636-8262

• Face Masks are Mandatory to Enter the Clinic

• No Visitors Authorized Without Prior Approval

• Call 901-261-4500 for Questions and Appointments

• Flu Vaccines are Available

• Hearing aid repairs
• Hearing aid fittings/programming
• Assistance with smartphone pairing/apps/ hearing aid accessories

• Hearing aid repairs
• Hearing aid fittings/programming
• Assistance with smartphone pairing/apps/ hearing aid accessories

• Dyersburg Clinic: 1067 Vendall Road, Dyersburg, TN 38024, (731) 287-7289
• Savannah Clinic: 70 Harbert Drive North, Savannah, TN 38372, (731) 727-8390
• Helena Clinic: 125 Quarles Lane, West Helena, AR 72390, (870) 228-3644
• Jonesboro Clinic: 2908 S Caraway Road Suite B, Jonesboro, AR 72401, (870) 277-0778
• Holly Springs Clinic: 1700 Crescent Meadows Drive, Holly Springs, MS 38635, (662) 252-2552
• Tupelo Clinic: 1114 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tupelo, MS 38804, (662) 840-6366
• North Clinic: 3461 Austin Peay Highway, Memphis, TN 38128, (901) 261-4500
• Nonconnah Boulevard Clinic: 1689 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38132, (901) 271-4900

• Dyersburg, Savannah, Helena, Jonesboro, and Holly Springs: Essential labs will be drawn on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Tupelo: Essential labs will be drawn on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• North Clinic and Nonconnah Boulevard Clinic: report to the VAMC Memphis, 1030 Jefferson Ave, BED TOWER ENTRANCE for Drive-Up Lab.
  

• For drive through lab, report to the Memphis VA Medical Center, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, BED TOWER ENTRANCE.
• All Veterans must have an order for a lab draw.
• If you have any special considerations during lab draws or need to provide a urine specimen, report to the Memphis VA Medical Center’s main Lab, using the Emergency Department Entrance.
• Each Veteran will be screened for COVID-19 and symptoms before entering the drive-up lab area.
• If you need special assistance, please park and report to the main Lab, using the Emergency Department Entrance.

• No roof racks, HAM, CB, extended antennas or full-size vans or lifted vehicles
• Maximum height 6 foot 2 inches

The State of TN Department of Veterans Services is by appointment only.  Appointments can be made by calling the 901-578-4024. 

Facility Entrances and Hours

• The Bed Tower, Emergency Department and Spinal Cord Injury Building (1st floor), will be the only entrances available for use.
• All patients, visitors and staff will be screened for COVID-19 at the designated entrance.
• Outpatients should come to appointments alone if possible. visitors are not allowed access to the medical center.

• The Spinal Cord Injury Building entrance on the 1st floor will be the only entrance for employees.
• For employees who ride the shuttle to and from the Mississippi Boulevard Church parking lot, pick up and drop off will be at the Spinal Cord Entrance on the 1st floor.
• All employees should have their work identification card available for entrance and should set aside enough time to be at your work area on time.