KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All visitors to the Kansas City VA Medical Center will be screened for COVID-19 as part of a series of precautions, the hospital announced Monday.
The hospital asks all patients and visitors to arrive 20 minutes early to allow for the additional screening.
Veterans enrolled for care through the VA who exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, the flu or a cold — including fever, cough and shortness of breath — are asked to call the Kansas City VA Medical Center and speak with a nurse before visiting the hospital.
Even if you have an appointment, all veterans planning to visit the Kansas City VA Medical Center should call first, the hospital's main line is 816-861-4700, or send a secure message through MyHealtheVet.
The Kansas City VA has also instituted restrictions on all visitors to inpatient units, while outpatient and surgery patients are only permitted one visitor until further notice.
Any visitor exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be barred from the facility.
The Kansas City VA is also reducing the number of entry points to Freedom, Valor and the Emergency Department.
On Tuesday, all on-site Veteran Service Officer offices — including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars — will be closed until further notice, along with the gift shop, coffee shop and cafeteria.
People with a fever, cough, who feel ill and children under the age of 16 should not visit the Kansas City VA. Exceptions may be made for patients in critical condition or facing end-of-life situations.
Finally, all VA volunteers are asked to call 816-922-2025 prior to volunteering.
For the latest information, follow the Kansas City VA Medical Center on Facebook or send email to vernon.stewart@va.gov.
