VA MEDICAL CENTERS
On A Mission By Lisa Sydnor
What does it look like as all the VA Medical Centers around the country experience an increased need for services?
Have there been increased calls around mental health or domestic violence issues?
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 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.
“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. 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.
12 CAREGIVER Magazine
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.
Issue 11
CaregiverOklahoma.com
