VA Northern Indiana Health Care System COVID-19 Screening Process

FORT WAYNE, Ind.— While the Centers for Disease Control still considers COVID-19 to be a low threat to the general American public, VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Fort Wayne Campus is paying special attention to it.  

Effective March 12, the Fort Wayne VA Campus will have a single point of entry to the campus. As part of this process, everyone who enters the Fort Wayne campus will be pre-screened. All Veterans and staff will enter the parking lot off Lake Ave. to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Those positive for symptoms will be directed to the Emergency Room for a higher level of screening. We strongly encourage Veterans to limit family members accompanying them to their appointments to immediate caregivers only.

This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments.

The screening consists of three questions:

1. Do you have a fever or worsening cough or shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms?
2. Have you or a close contact traveled to an area with widespread or sustained community transmission of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset?
3. Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have COVID-19?

Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others. We ask if you are having the symptoms of COVID, you call the Health Care System at prior to coming so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Veterans and staff are encouraged to take everyday preventive actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, call the VA before going to the facility.

For more information about the Coronavirus, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html