VA Medical Center

VA MEDICAL CENTERS On A Mission

What does it look like as all the VA Medical Centers around the country experience an increased need for services?

The Oklahoma City VA Medical Center continues to increase its capacity for inpatient hospital beds and ICU beds in anticipation of an influx of COVID-19 patients.

“We want to plan for the worst case scenario so that we are fully prepared should we see a surge in coronavirus cases,” said Wade Vlosich, Medical Center Director.

The OKC VA is setting up additional areas in order to increase inpatient capacity. As each unit gets full, they will activate the next unit. “The increase in beds is why we are currently crosstraining staff to ensure we have adequate staffing coverage to run all the units,” said Vlosich.

The facility has also setup negative pressure tents inside the hospital, which are able to treat 20 patients in each tent without the risk of exposure to others.

A pharmacy drive up window was created on the west side of the parking garage near the radiation oncology entrance for urgent medication refills.

By Lisa Sydnor

Since March, the OKC VA Medical Center has increased its overall inpatient bed capacity from 168 to a surge capacity of more than 300. The facility is not currently experiencing shortages with personal protective equipment and continues to monitor current supplies closely to ensure necessary levels are maintained for the safety of staff and patients.

As local hospitals experience inpatient surges, Veteran patients can be transferred to OKC VA Medical Center in order to free up additional beds for the general population.

For now, the hospital remains dedicated to treating Veteran patients. However, as the situation evolves, VA could be called upon to assist with treating patients from the community.

Have there been increased calls around mental health or domestic violence issues?

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, and the OKC VA wants Veterans to know that VA staff is always available to talk to.

Social Work Service

Social Workers are available to assist you in a variety of settings to include the primary care clinic, during hospitalization, at Emergency Department visits, in mental health and rehabilitation units, and upon enrollment in specialty medical programs to name a few. They want to assist you, your family members, and Caregivers in resolving housing, finance, mood, relationship, and physical limitation issues in individual, group, or family treatment, whichever suits your needs. Veterans can call 405-456-3024 (in OKC) or go to socialwork.va.gov/ and get support. More info about all Veteran Health Benefits can be found at va.gov/ healthbenefits/resources/epublications.asp

Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program

COVID-19 may have us feeling a lack of control over our lives. Many are struggling to manage that lack of control and may take it out on someone they love. If you or someone you know is experiencing or using domestic violence; which includes yelling, talking down to or insulting, threatening, and further emotional, physical or sexual violence, the VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is here to help.

Please contact Stephanie McCabe, IPVAP Coordinator in OKC at 405-456-5729 (office) or 405-568-9869 (VA Cell) - find the number for the IPVAP Coordinator in your area at: socialwork.va.gov/IPV/Coordinators.asp - or call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline any time at 800-799-SAFE (7233) for safety planning, community resources and further information.

Veteran’s Crisis Line

If you or a Veteran or Armed Service Member you know are in a crisis, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. To speak to qualified, caring VA responder, you can:

CALL: Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone.

TEXT: Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder.

CHAT: Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat

Behavioral Health/Mental Health Information Hotline

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System has set up a local hotline, available 24/7, to help answer any questions you might have about the options available for receiving Behavioral Health at this time - without needing to come to the VA in person.

CALL: Dial 405-456-4488 to talk to an OKC VAHCS employee about options for receiving Behavioral Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALL: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline The OKC VAHCS has also set up local hotline, available 6am to 8pm, to help answer general questions you may have.

CALL: Dial 405-456-7119 to talk to an OKC VAHCS employee about COVID-19 related questions.

Is there an increase in food requests?

We are working with Health and Senior Programming with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to obtain emergency food kits for Veterans who are working with our VA Social Workers. These food kits are for Veterans who are homebound, high risk, or otherwise unable to access food resources. Resources for homeless Vets are always available at va.gov/homeless Updated, special resources for those who experience homelessness during pandemic are found at: usich.gov/covid-19 this

Isolation can be difficult. The OKC VA wants Veterans everywhere to know that there are Social Work Staff available to assess their needs during this stressful time. “It's important for Veterans to know they are not alone, and we're here for them,” said Michelle Johnston, OKC VA Social Work Chief.

“Concerns about COVID-19 can be stressful for many people. There are clear steps here that Veterans can take to manage stress and to get support.”

What support is in place especially for caregivers?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) recognizes that caregivers play a critical role in caring for Veterans every day, and even more so now, in the time of COVID-19. Always remember to care for the caregivers! Caregiver Support Program

Learn how you can protect and support yourself and your Veteran loved one through these challenging times with tips on Caregiving During

COVID-19 and Coronavirus

FAQs page.

For more information or immediate support call 1-855-260-3274.

Get this caregiver tip sheet: Caregiver. VA.Gov/pdfs/CSPCaregiving-DuringCOVID-19-Tip-Sheet3Apr2020.pdf