Protecting our Veterans and staff is our highest priority and as part of that effort we are adopting The Joint Commission’s guidelines on universal masking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning Monday, May 4, 2020, all staff, patients and visitors will be required to wear a barrier mask or face covering while in CAVHS facilities.  Veterans without a face covering will be given a mask as they enter our screening areas.  No one will be allowed past the screening station or into a building without a mask.

We agree with The Joint Commission that universal masking within health care settings is an additional tool to protect staff and Veterans from being infected by asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals.  Even a single case of community spread can put us all at risk.

Wearing a barrier mask limits the risk of spreading COVID-19 while allowing us to continue caring for our Veterans.

Elective procedures still on hold, will phase in over time

Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System is excited by the prospect of one day returning to normal operations but we are remaining cautious in the interest of the safety of our Veterans and staff.  We support the Governor’s efforts to re-start the Arkansas economy.  However, the Governor’s time frame for resuming elective medical procedures applies only to state and civilian institutions.

CAVHS is not resuming elective medical procedures on the same time frame as the state.  No date for resumption has been determined as of April 29, but we will inform all of our Veterans when we begin scheduling elective medical procedures again.

We are working hard to observe all CDC guidelines to keep our Veterans and employees safe during this pandemic.  We can’t wait to serve all of our Veterans again soon, but it’s important to take a measured and thoughtful approach.