Initiatives to Reduce the Spread of
COVID-19
COVID-19 Call Center: If you believe you were potentially exposed to COVID-19, please contact
the NMCSD Coronavirus Information Hotline at 619-532-5358. This resource is
specifically designed for individuals with a potential exposure to COVID-19 and
a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing a medical
emergency, please dial 911.
Drive-Thru Testing: The drive-thru COVID-19 testing site began its
first day of operations March 30, at NMCSD’s main campus, located at 34800 Bob
Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134. NMCSD established the site to help ensure
the readiness of U.S. Navy Fleet and Marine Corps commands. Drive-through
testing is done by appointment in coordination with operational commands only.
Drive-thru testing is not available to the general public, dependents, or retirees
at this time.
Bottom Line Up Front: During
the COVID-19 pandemic, any changes needed will be made to protect our patients
and staff and conserve limited resources. Specifically, NMCSD is:
·
Eliminating non-emergent, elective surgeries and
procedures to include routine dental care.
·
Limiting hospital entry points and screening
all staff, patients and visitors prior to entry.
·
Modifying our visitor policy.
·
Using telehealth options for health care,
readiness and deployment health visits wherever possible.
·
Maintaining urgent/emergent/acute care.
·
Promoting use of the Nurse Advice Line for
care options for all beneficiaries, 1-800-TRICARE, option 1.
·
Establishing a staffed COVID-19 information
hotline at 619-532-5358 to triage calls and decrease in-person visits.
·
Established a Flu Tent to separate COVID-19
patients from non-COVID-19 patients.
Acute Services: Acute
appointments across all service lines will be maintained in person unless they
can be conducted safely as a virtual appointment, as determined by our medical
staff in communication with each patient.
Routine Services: Each
clinic is assessing the capability, need, and safety for delivering routine
services at this time. Clinical decisions to postpone routine care will be
based on assessment by medical providers.
Mental Health: Mental Health will continue to provide
inpatient psychiatric care, acute emergency room and ward consultation, as well
as outpatient services, observing social distancing and COVID-19 screening
procedures to ensure safety.
Inpatient Psychiatry: Inpatient Psychiatry services remains
operational. All patients that are admitted will receive a COVID-19 test and
they will remain in isolation until a negative COIVD result is obtained.
Patients with a COVID-19 positive test will be transferred from the inpatient
unit and followed by our consult liaison team.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): The PHP and IOP programs have been transitioned to virtual
platforms and continue to provide
rapid access to brief, intensive care for patients recently discharged from the
emergency room and inpatient unit. Treatment continues to include a combination
of individual and group-based care on video platforms.
Routine Outpatient Mental Health Care: Adult outpatient mental health care is being
conducted virtually and telephonically. Patients may contact the Mental Health
Operational Outreach Division (MHOOD) Clinic to schedule a telehealth
appointment or discuss care needs.
Patients who may require in-person care are
being referred to either the MHOOD for a video-teleconference evaluation or
reviewed on a case-by-case basis for in-person care with protective personal
equipment and infection control precautions.
Outpatient group therapy is currently being
conducted virtually, at reduced capacity.
Child and Adolescent (CAP) Mental
Health:
This CAP clinic is using a virtual care model for all appointments, which can
be arranged at the front desk.
Emergency
Department Psychiatric Evaluations: Mental Health evaluations for Patients Under
Investigation (PUI) or COVID-19-positive patients will be conducted through
video-teleconferencing. For patients with mental health needs who do not have
PUI/COVID-19 concerns, there is no change to current procedures for emergency department
psychiatry evaluations and care.
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program
(SARP): SARP continues to accept referrals for all
levels of treatment and is conducting screenings via individual telehealth
appointments for commands and in-person screenings for patients admitted to
NMCSD inpatient wards.
·
Level-3
residential treatment program remains open with reduced patient census. Those
pending treatment are being triaged and initiated for care as soon as possible.
·
SARP
level 1, the two week outpatient program (OP), is currently providing services
via 100% telehealth.
·
SARP
Level 2, the four week intensive outpatient program (IOP), is currently
suspended.
·
Continuing
care (CC) for SARP Level 2 (IOP) and level 3 (residential) graduates is now
conducted by telehealth outreach.
Surgical Services: Surgical Services for cardiothoracic
surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, oral
maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, otolaryngology (ENT), pain management,
plastic surgery, urology, and vascular surgery will continue to provide care
for patients with urgent or emergent clinical surgical conditions, including
time-sensitive surgical cancer care, and active duty patients who require
surgery to maintain their readiness posture.
Additionally, the operating rooms and surgical clinics have
safely re-opened in full capacity to provide surgical care to patients whose
surgeries or appointments may have been postponed during the initial pandemic
response.
Clinics will be reaching out to these patients to reschedule
their appointments for either virtual or face-to-face visits with their
providers, as medically appropriate, and to reschedule their surgical
procedures as operating room capacity reopens in a safe, step-wise approach.
·
All clinic appointments for patients with time-sensitive
clinical conditions, including cancer treatments, will continue to be honored.
·
All deployment and readiness-related appointments, including
Limited Duty (LIMDU) evaluations and Medical Board evaluations, will continue
to be honored. Please be aware that many appointments may be conducted
virtually. Patients will be notified by the clinic ahead of time if their
appointment is converted to a virtual visit.
·
Emergency 24/7 surgical capabilities will continue
uninterrupted.
Obstetrics and Gynecology: NMCSD’s OB/GYN department
is committed to providing contraceptive and women’s health services to our
active duty servicewomen.
We remain ready, willing, and able to safely meet patient needs
during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the award-winning PINC contraceptive clinic
is not open on a walk-in basis, the clinic continues to provide contraception,
albeit in a slightly different manner. Instead
of a "walk in" clinic, patients should call first, 619-532-7082. This
allows staff to provide a telehealth screening and schedule an appointment for
contraception.
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 0830 to
1500 with no referral needed!
Clinical Support
Services:
Physical
Therapy: Physical and Occupational Therapy, Sports
Medicine, and Chiropractic Services are prioritizing the operational forces who
are due to deploy, post-operative patients, and other appointments based on the
immediacy of the condition, as determined by the provider.
Telephone and
virtual appointments are being utilized for all other patients to guide them
through home care options. Service locations may change due to staffing
constraints and, should this occur, all patients will be notified via telephone
call.
Inpatient
Pharmacy: Inpatient pharmacy will be prioritized and
maintained.
Outpatient
Pharmacy, NMCSD Main Pharmacy: Hours are Monday–Friday, 0800-1900, and
Saturday–Sunday, 0800-1800. Medication prescriptions from NMCSD or civilian
providers will be filled at this location.
NMCSD's
main pharmacy is offering a drop-off service at window #1 for both in-house and
civilian prescriptions. These prescriptions will be ready after two hours.
Pharmacy wait times are likely to increase due to the current circumstances.
Outpatient Pharmacy, Naval Branch Health Clinic
(NBHC) Pharmacies: There are no changes in pharmacy operations or
scope of services at these locations.
Outpatient
Pharmacy, NBSD 32nd Street NEX Pharmacy: Hours
are Monday–Friday, 0800-1730, and Saturday, 0800-1630. Non-urgent and emergent
drop-off for new prescriptions will be processed and ready for pick up the
following day. Urgent and emergent prescriptions (i.e., civilian hospital
discharge, emergency department visits, antibiotics, pain, etc.) will be
processed and dispensed same day.
Outpatient
Pharmacy, MCX/NBHC Miramar: the MCX
pharmacy remains temporarily closed due to COVID 19. The NBHC Miramar pharmacy,
a full-service pharmacy for in-house, civilian prescriptions, and refills,
remains open.
·
Call-in
refills via Audio Care can be picked up at the pharmacy drive-thru window.
·
Pharmacy
hours are Monday–Friday, 0730-1600. Due
to safety concerns, patients should stay in their vehicles when picking up
refills.
Outpatient
Pharmacy, Refill Pick-up Sites: The
pharmacies at NBSD 32nd Street, NBHC Naval Training Center, NBHC North Island,
NBHC East Lake, and NBHC Miramar are open for picking up refills.
Radiology:
Radiology is offering all services, however, to maintain social
distancing, please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your appointment as
seating is limited in order to ensure patients can maintain appropriate
physical distancing in the waiting room.
Breast Health Center (BHC): The BHC is currently deferring routine annual
screening mammograms, evaluations for breast pain, and routine genetic
screening. The BHC will continue to see patients who have an acute breast
health complaint (palpable lump or concern for abscess) that is identified by
the patient or provider.
·
Multidisciplinary
cancer care and all previously scheduled biopsies will continue.
·
Evaluation
of breast health issues impacting operational forces due to deploy will be
expedited.
·
All
same day walk-in mammography services for routine exams is currently suspended
until further notice.
Laboratory: Outpatient phlebotomy is open with reduced
staffing for normal hours, which are Monday–Friday, 0600-1800, Saturday,
0800-1200. The Blood Donor Center is open for walk-in blood donations or by
appointment by calling 619-532-6650.
Anatomic pathology services, including
histology and cytology, are available to support medical and surgical services.
If COVID-19 continues to impact care and NMCSD
is operating with essential personnel only, the following actions will occur:
·
Main
pharmacy hours will be reduced to Monday–Friday, 0800-1800, Saturdays
0800-1700, and closed Sundays and federal holidays, except for emergency
department discharge medications.
·
BHC
pharmacies will be dependent on the status of installations and the ability to
access base clinics.
Health
& Wellness: The Health &
Wellness Department is offering telehealth health education classes for sleep, diabetes
education, and healthy living. Please call 619-532-7764 to enroll.
Occupational
Medicine: All Occupational Health
clinics are open and will complete mandated exams and urgent pre-placement
exams.
Central
Immunizations Clinic: The clinic is open and is
now offering vaccinations to all beneficiaries ages 12 and older.
Dental Services: Dental
services are closed for cleanings but are currently open for routine exams and
Class 3 dental care.
All
routine visits are currently suspended until the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer
a threat to our patients, staff, and community with the following exceptions:
·
NMCSD is limiting visitors to one per patient
and recommending alternate ways for patients and visitors to interact, such as
phone calls, video-call applications on cell phones, tablets or laptops, and
other web-based means.
·
Visitors and children under age 14 (without a
medical appointment) will not be permitted.
·
Visitors may be asked to take precautions such
as wearing masks and gowns
·
We ask that all visitors wash their hands
frequently, including before entering and when exiting a patient’s room.
·
The visitation policy will be flexible for
families experiencing end-of-life situations.
·
Visitors must stay in the patient’s room for
the entire time of the visit. Once the visitor leaves the patient room, they
must exit the hospital immediately.
Q1: Does the hospital have
the ability to test for COVID-19?
A1:
We continue to remain in close coordination with appropriate agencies to have
access to test kits and ensure compliance with all testing procedures
associated with patients exhibiting possible COVID-19 symptoms. NMCSD is not a
testing lab. While NMCSD does not have the ability to conduct confirmation
testing, providers are able to collect samples and submit to DOD or local
laboratories for testing and confirmation.
Q2: Where can Navy Sailors
and Navy civilians find more information concerning COVID-19/all-stop guidance?
A2: Navy
military members and their families who have questions regarding COVID-19
guidance or entitlements associated with stop movement should contact the
MyNavy Career Center (1-833-330-6622) or email AskMNCC@navy.mil. Detailers are ready
to support all order modifications and commands should work with their
placement officers. Navy civilians should work with their local Human Resources
Office.
Q3: What actions is the
hospital taking during this pandemic?
A3:
NMCSD remains open and dedicated to serving our patients. As Naval Medical
Center San Diego (NMCSD) responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are implementing
additional health protection measures throughout the facility to prevent spread
and protect our staff and patients.
Q4. What actions should an
individual take during HPCON C?
A4.
Examples of actions taken during HPCON C to protect the health and safety of
your family and community include:
·
Avoid unnecessary contact with others, such as
shaking hands and hugging.
·
Avoid unnecessary travel, especially to areas
known to be experiencing active disease transmission.
·
Ensure supplies of food, medication, and other
items needed for babies and pets are available to last at least 14 days.
·
Prepare for travel restrictions and
cancellation of public gatherings, such as school, religious, and other
community activities; make alternative arrangements for childcare.
·
Observe local guidance on movement
restrictions and access requirements for military installations.
·
Seek guidance from employers and unit leaders
about changes to work practices (e.g., telework) and training events.
·
Comply with medical orders for self-isolation
or quarantine.
·
Take everyday actions to stop the spread of
germs.
Q5. What should I do if I
feel sick or think I was exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19?
A5.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with a person sick
with COVID-19, or traveled to areas where infection is prevalent, don’t make an
appointment or walk into your local military hospital or clinic. Instead, stay
at home and speak with a Military Health System (MHS) registered nurse via the
Nurse Advice Line (1-800-874-2273, option 1), who will assess your symptoms.
The nurse can screen you for potential or suspected exposure or infection. If
needed, they can coordinate a virtual telephone visit with a health care
provider.
Q9: How can I reach a
registered nurse?
A9: There are several ways to reach a registered
nurse:
·
If you believe you were potentially exposed to
COVID-19, please use the NMCSD Coronavirus information hotline: [619-532-5358].
This resource is specifically designed for individuals with a potential
exposure to COVID-19 and a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
·
Call your military hospital, clinic primary
care team, or your civilian provider.
·
Call your military hospital, clinic
appointment line, or your civilian provider appointment line.
·
Call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
(1-800-874-2273, option 1).
·
Send a secure message through TRICARE Online
Patient Portal to your military hospital or clinic primary care team.
As always, if you are
experiencing a medical emergency, contact 911.