St. Cloud VA Health Care System

Situation Update

As of Monday, June 29, 2020 9:34 AM CDT

Moving Forward Together: Safe Care is Everyone’s Mission

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the St. Cloud VA HCS continues to implement numerous actions to safeguard Veterans served by the St. Cloud VA, our employees and the public. Safe care remains our goal as we gradually increase face-to-face health care visits at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. Some services and programs may not be available at this time. Face-to-face visits at VA Clinics in Alexandria, Brainerd and Montevideo are very limited.

We apologize for any inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience. The information below will help make your contacts with us go smoothly.

Call First

• All patients with flu-like symptoms are asked to call first. These symptoms include new or worsening: cough, shortness of breath, or fever; flu-like symptoms; chills; muscle pain; sore throat; headache; new loss of taste or smell; or diarrhea.
• If you have had a positive COVID-19 test or are awaiting test results, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test or is awaiting test results call us at (320) 252-1670 Option 2, or, if after hours select Option 3 before visiting us.

Receiving Care 

• We are pleased to meet your needs through pre-scheduled face to face appointments or we offer virtual visits (telephone and video appointments). Virtual appointments allow you to receive the care you need at home, either by phone or via video on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, for your added convenience and safety.
• Your VA provider may recommend that you continue to postpone routine procedures. If you are a Veteran seeking medical care, please call (320) 252-1670 Option 2 before visiting to schedule appointments or to speak to a nurse, especially if you have COVID-19 related symptoms.
• When attending a scheduled appointment, do not plan to spend more time than necessary at the medical center as waiting areas are limited. Plan to arrive at the appointment location no sooner than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time. Please avoid unnecessary movement within the medical center and depart the medical center promptly when done.  

Plan to use virtual care options first

• For many concerns, you may be able to access VA care from home by phone or using VA virtual care options—please call first. You can also send your care team a secure message through MyHealtheVet.
• If you need help learning how to use or set up your device for telehealth, Connected Care apps or MyHealtheVet, call the Health Hub at 320-252-1670, Ext. 7271.
• Telephone care is available 24 hours a day when you have health care questions or need health care advice. During business hours, you can also speak with a provider by phone and get treatment for many of the same conditions as offered at the Urgent Care Clinic, co-pay free. Call 320-252-1670, and press 3, 24 hours a day.

No Walk-in services except Urgent Care

• Walk-ins are reserved for urgent medical or psychological needs only. The Urgent Care Clinic is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Mental Health Triage is available in Bldg. 111 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or through the Urgent Care Clinic.
• All other outpatient clinics, including Audiology, Optometry, Respiratory Therapy, Lab and Imaging are not taking walk-ins. 
• Please call (320) 252-1670 Option 2 for all appointment options.

Additional Visitors Limited

• As a safety precaution, Veterans attending outpatient appointments who require personal assistance are limited to one personal escort or assistant. Please plan appropriately. If additional assistance is required, please ask a staff member for assistance.
• Movement patterns within the medical center and VA clinics may be altered or limited in some circumstances. Routine practices and some locations may have changed. Please follow the instructions provided.

Masks On!

Everyone entering our healthcare facilities are required to use cloth face coverings (e.g., reusable cloth masks, including homemade masks) regardless of symptoms. Please bring your own, or upon arrival, patients who require a facemask will have these provided.

Screening Underway

In concert with CDC and MDH guidelines, the St. Cloud VA HCS is conducting screening of everyone prior to allowing entry. Individuals arriving at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center can anticipate altered vehicle traffic patterns and roadside screening points.

• All outpatient Veteran and visitor vehicle traffic must enter the St. Cloud Medical Center campus via the Veterans Drive main entrance road. The 44th Ave. N./12th St. N. entrance is closed to all traffic.
• All arriving vehicles will be routed through a roadside checkpoint and met by a staff member. They will greet you, ask some screening questions, and guide you to the next steps of your visit. Please follow the instructions provided to you.
• After passing through the checkpoint, on weekdays all interior campus roads and parking lots are available for use. Some parking lots will not be available on weekends.

Building Entry and Exit Points Limited

• Bldg. 1 — Main Entrance, open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
• Bldg. 116 — Rehabilitation Center, open 6 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., weekdays. Veterans with appointments in Bldg.116 or Bldg. 51 may use this entrance. For appointments in other locations in the medical center please use another entry point.
• Bldg. 111 — Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. After 4:30 p.m. and weekends by appointment only. Staff & Veterans in the MH RRTP can use the entrance from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week.
• Bldg. 48/49 — Entrance Pavilion, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

All other entryways at the facility are not available for use. Click here for helpful maps.

Residential Visitor Restrictions

• VA Community Living Centers (CLC), Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), and the Mental Health (MH) Acute Unit have implemented safeguards aimed at limiting COVID-19 exposure risk for patients who reside at a VA facility. To minimize the risk of exposure, no outside visitors will be permitted to see residents in the RRTP and MH Acute Unit unless a scheduled visit is made, and the visit is vital to the patient’s recovery.
• The CLC does have a process for window visits with residents. Each resident can receive up to five visitors at a time for 30 minutes every 14 days.  Visits must be scheduled in advance.  Visitors will remain outdoors with no direct contact with the resident to eliminate potential for exposure to COVID-19.  Visitors can have conversation with residents through a phone system and residents are accompanied by staff.  Visiting hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  For more information and to schedule a visit, please contact the resident’s CLC care unit Social Worker or Secretary to schedule a visit.
• The CLC will allow exceptions for compassionate cases, when Veterans are in their last stages of life on hospice status. In those cases, visitors will be limited to a specific resident’s room only.

For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and common-sense tips on preventing the spread of disease, visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/