Current Operating Status - Memphis VA Medical Center
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Memphis VA Medical Center

 

Current Operating Status

Situation Update

As of Friday, February 19, 2021 2:04 PM CST

To reduce the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other illnesses, Memphis VAMC is asking patients, staff and visitors to help slow the spread of infection by wearing a face covering and staying at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. All Memphis VA Medical Center clinics and operations are operating normally EXCEPT for the updated visitor, patient and staff restrictions/guidelines below. 

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


Jonesboro, AR CBOC Temporarily closed
The recent ice storm has adversely impacted the Jonesboro, AR CBOC. The clinic has a tentative re-open date of Monday, March 8, 2021. Phone calls to the Jonesboro CBOC are being routed to the Savannah, TN CBOC. Staff are working remotely to continue to provide patient care. All nonessential labs will resume when the clinic re-opens. Stat labs will be performed at St. Bernard’s Hospital and paid for by Sterling Medical.


COVID vaccinations scheduled on Saturday, February 20th at the Memphis VA Medical Center are postponed due to continuing inclement weather in Memphis and surrounding areas.
Veterans with scheduled appointments to receive the vaccine on this Saturday will be contacted and rescheduled. This action is being taken out of concern for the safety of our Veterans and staff.

COVID vaccinations scheduled on Friday, February 19, 2021 at the Memphis VA Medical Center is postponed due to continuing inclement weather in Memphis and surrounding areas.
Veterans with scheduled appointments to receive the vaccine on this Friday will be contacted and rescheduled. This action is being taken out of concern for the safety of our Veterans and staff.
SPECIAL NOTE regarding when the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be given:
Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine should be given as close to 21 days after the first dose as possible.  However, if a second dose cannot be given in 21 days and a delay is unavoidable, it may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. Veterans who had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather will be given an appointment within this timeframe.


Nonconnah CBOC Changes
Effective January 14,2021, the Nonconnah CBOC is closed for walk-ins and face to face visits except for optometry and lab until further notice. Lab is open in suite 100 Monday-Friday 7:30am-3pm. Optometry appointments are made by calling 901-523-8990 extension 1310 and appointment check in is in suite 120. All other appointments will be conducted by phone or video/virtual care. For questions or appointments, contact Telephone Care at 901-577-7221.
Memphis VA Medical Center Library Closing for Renovations, January 19 - January 22, 2021
The Memphis VA Medical Center Library, located on the second floor of the Administration Building, room BE206, will be closed for renovation from January 19 through January 22, 2021. My HealtheVet services offered through the Library, will not be available during this time. The Library will reopen on Monday, January 25, 2021. The Memphis VA Medical Center is located at 1030 Jefferson Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee.
Should you have questions, you may contact Dr. Peatchola Jones-Cole at 901-523-8990, extension 5069, or by email at peatchola.jones-cole@va.gov.


Women’s and Central Clinic Changes
Virtual Video Conference (VVC) and Telephone visits will be available for patients in the Women’s and Central Clinics located on the main campus of the Memphis VA Medical Center. In-person visits will be available by appointment only.

Please be aware of the following guidance:
  • 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


Bed-Tower Entrance Temporarily Closed
Due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County and the surrounding cities, the bed-tower entrance is closed temporarily. Veterans will need to use the main entrance, east lot, to access the facility. Veterans will still have the ability to walk up for labs and flu-shots at the bed-tower west lot.


Tent Operation Bed Tower Changes (Effective December 7, 2020)

  • Flu shots will now be given to Veterans in the Clinics, Bed Tower Lobby, and ED entrance.
  • The outside lab will continue in the tent on the West parking lot (Bed Tower).
  • The Bed Tower COVID Screening process will move from the Bed Tower Lobby to the tent in front of the Bed Tower entrance.
  • The West parking lot is open for Veterans only. The parking garage is closed.
  • Veterans will be allowed entry 30 minutes before appointments.
  • If a Veteran needs lab before an appointment, the outside lab should be utilized.
  • The Valet gate will be utilized for Veterans to be dropped off under the awning near the tent.
  • As a reminder, visitors are restricted, children are not permitted, and masks are required for all Veterans.


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.

Entrance is Allowed Within 30 Minutes of Appointment Time
This information is being provided for your planning purposes when coming to the medical center. Please be aware of the time that will be allowed for entry into the medical center prior to appointment times.


North Clinic is Open
  • 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


Shipping Times For Prescriptions
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Veterans have noticed increased shipping times for mail order prescriptions as more Americans are using delivery options. Re-order medication refills as early as possible. Refill requests can be made as soon as you receive a prescription. We encourage Veterans to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and UPS MyChoice – both are free services that notify you when packages are on the way. You may also order and track certain prescriptions in MyHealtheVet. Thank you for your service to our country, and for choosing Memphis VA Pharmacy.

USPS Informed Delivery
UPS MyChoice


Bed Tower Hearing Aid Repair Tent
To help better serve our Veterans while COVID-19 outpatient restrictions are in place, the VAMC Audiology Department is pleased to offer curbside and in-person appointments in the Medical Tent located in the West Parking Lot (Bed Tower). Clinicians will be able to clean, repair, program and troubleshoot your hearing aids during these appointments. In addition, you can pick up any accessories or replacement devices as well.
Please call 901-523-8990 ext. 6134 and ext. 6135 for an appointment.

Instructions for the day of your appointment:
Please park in the designated spots for Audiology and remain in your car. Call the Audiologist at 901-503-9743 (Dr. Donnelly’s cell phone) to let her know you have arrived for your appointment. When ready, the audiologist will come out to your car. For many appointments, you will be able to remain in the vehicle with any accompanying family member or caregiver.


Virtual Audiology Service Available: Remote hearing aid programming
Available on direct to iPhone hearing aids and some other models issued within the last 3 years.  Allows your audiologist to program your hearing aids from the VA while you are home using app and video call. Please contact your audiologist or Dr. Wanda Taylor at 901-523-8990 ext. 2467 to learn more.

Available Hearing Aid Drive Up and Tent Services:
Jackson, TN CBOC
Monday appointments through curbside drop-off/pick-up
  • Hearing aid repairs
  • Hearing aid fittings/programming
  • Assistance with smartphone pairing/apps/ hearing aid accessories
Hearing checks for patients with previously established VA audiology care (currently being completed on case by case basis due to COVID19 restrictions)
To schedule appointment or inquire about appt at the Jackson CBOC, please call Dr. Shannon Lieblong at 901-523-8990 ext. 5348 or VA issued cell 901-262-4912. 

Tupelo, MS CBOC
Friday appointments through curbside drop-off/pick-up
  • Hearing aid repairs
  • Hearing aid fittings/programming
  • Assistance with smartphone pairing/apps/ hearing aid accessories
To schedule appointment or inquire about appt at the Tupelo CBOC, please call Dr. Megan Pridgen at 901-523-8990 ext. 5468


Mask Requirements At All VHA Facilities
VHA requires the wearing of a face covering for all persons entering VHA facilities, including employees, patients, and visitors. The face covering must cover the mouth and nose, fit snugly, and allow for breathing without restriction. Cloth masks are acceptable but are truly not considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).


Walk-In and Face-to-Face Clinic Visits 
Regarding Memphis VA Medical Center Contract Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). In accordance with the latest recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, VA Central Office, and State and Municipal leaders, the following VA Clinics have transition from walk-in and face-to-face visits to virtual appointments by Video and Telephone. Veterans requiring an urgent face-to-face appointment with a provider will be screened by telephone by a provider or nurse for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry to the facility.
  • 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
All veterans who have scheduled appointments at these clinics are being contacted to be rescheduled to virtual appointments. Scheduled appointments are not being canceled. Veterans who do not have a scheduled appointment and have a non-emergent inquiry should contact their clinic and speak with staff who can determine and coordinate your care needs. The clinics will remain staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

For Lab Draws:
  • 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.
DRIVE-UP LAB DRAWS: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
  • 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.
AUTOMOBILE RESTRICTIONS:
  • No roof racks, HAM, CB, extended antennas or full-size vans or lifted vehicles
  • Maximum height 6 foot 2 inches
Veterans who have an order for a Urine Specimen can now report to the Bed Tower Lab Tent (Note: Bed Tower Entrance is on the Pauline St. side of the campus). If you have any special considerations during lab draws, report to the Main Lab, VAMC Memphis, using the ED Entrance. Should you have questions, call Telephone Care at 901.577.7221.


Temporary Change to Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Services
To ensure the health and safety of veterans, staff and visitors, effective March 19, 2020 until further notice, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, Disabled American Veterans and Mississippi Veteran Services offices located at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center will no longer receive in-person visits. The staff of these offices will be available to assist veterans at the following phone or email listing:

Facility Entrances and Hours
Effective immediately, the following visitation safeguards are in place: 
  • 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 following are the hours of operation for each entrance:

Bed Tower Entrance
Monday thru Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Emergency Department Entrance
Open 24/7 daily including weekends and holidays

Spinal Cord Injury Entrance - 1st Floor (For Employees Only)
Monday thru Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • 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.
SPECIAL NOTE: Other than the times listed above, the Emergency Department Entrance is to be used.

Cancellation of Events
While dealing with COVID-19 as a public health threat, for the safety and well-being of veterans and staff, all scheduled events or gatherings that would invite people into the medical center, placing them in close proximity, are being cancelled until further notice. This includes but is not limited to all face-to-face programs and activities that are not designated for specific clinical training. The intent is to resume these activities after the threat of COVID-19 has subsided.

These actions are being taken to ensure the health safety of veterans, staff and visitors. Additional restrictions may be put in place as conditions warrant.


CBOC Information
All CBOCs have limited services. Please see changes above and below.

Facility Status

Parent Facility
Memphis VA Medical Center Limited Services
All Memphis VA Medical Center operations are operating normally EXCEPT for the updated visitor, patient and staff restrictions/guidelines above. The Memphis VA Medical Center and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are not COVID-19 Testing Centers for the general public.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
Covington (North) VA Clinic Normal Hours
Nonconnah Clinic Limited Services
Closed for walk-ins and face to face visits except for optometry and lab
Dyersburg VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Helena VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Holly Springs VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Jackson VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Jonesboro VA Clinic Closed
Jonesboro, AR CBOC Temporarily closed. The recent ice storm has adversely impacted the Jonesboro, AR CBOC. The clinic has a tentative re-open date of Monday, March 8, 2021. Phone calls to the Jonesboro CBOC are being routed to the Savannah, TN CBOC.
Savannah VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Tupelo VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed
Outpatient Clinics
Union Avenue VA Clinic Limited Services
walk-in and face-to-face visits are closed

Telephone Numbers

  • Emergency: 911
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)
  • 24 Hour Nurse: 1-877-291-5311
  • Change Your Appointment: 1-901-523-8990
    (press 5)
    1-800-636-8262
  • Media Inquiries: 1-901-577-7224
  • National Veterans Helpline: 1-800-507-4571
  • Patient Locator: Not Available
  • Pharmacy Refill: 1-901-523-8990
    (press 5)
    1-800-636-8262
    (press 5)
  • Staff Locator: Not Available
  • Telephone Care: 1-901-577-7221
    1-800-636-8262 x7221
The Memphis VA Medical Center and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are not COVID-19 Testing Centers for the general public.
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