JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The 59th Medical Wing is making several precautionary adjustments to services to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care.
Patients should expect to see the following changes at all 59th MDW clinics:
- Temporary suspense of in-person routine care, telehealth appointments will be available
- Delayed elective surgeries
- Pharmacy services:
- Wilford Hall Pharmacy: operations remain the same with social distancing measures implemented
- Commissary Pharmacy: pickup services are closed
- Satellite Pharmacies: offering curbside pickup and drop off with 24-hour turnaround for new prescriptions
- Randolph Pharmacy: refill prescriptions will be processed at the Randolph Exchange and all new prescriptions will be processed at the Randolph Clinic
Clinics began proactively reviewing their schedules to make as many appointments virtual as possible. Affected patients will receive a call from the clinic to reschedule procedures or be treated via telehealth. As of March 18, established patients will also be able to book virtual appointments directly using the appointment line.
Patients can register on https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/ to register for Express Scripts and have prescriptions delivered to their home.
“We are doing everything we can to continue providing high-reliability care to our beneficiaries in new ways while preserving the health of our community and the resources that may be needed if the virus spreads,” said Maj. Gen. John J. DeGoes, 59th Medical Wing commander. “Community members can do their part by keeping updated on and following CDC guidelines during this time.”
To protect yourself and those around you from viruses, please consider calling in before seeking care. Call the Nurse Advice Line (NAL) 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) or your Primary Care Manager before coming to the Family Emergency Center or Brooke Army Medical Center. Patients and staff are being screened before entering 59th Medical Wing facilities and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms will be directed to the family emergency center.
The NAL for TRICARE beneficiaries is a team of registered nurses who are available 24/7 to answer a variety of urgent healthcare questions. Visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com for a web or video chat, or dial 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1. They can help you decide whether self-care is the best option, or if it is better to see a healthcare provider. Our beneficiaries also can schedule an appointment with their PCM by calling the Consult Appointment Management Office (CAMO) at 210-916-9900. Additionally, for non-urgent issues, you can send your primary care team a secure message via TRICARE Online (www.tricareonline.com).
There are several actions the CDC recommends to prevent infection:
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
-Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for 10 minutes.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
-Notify supervisors and consider staying home when you are sick.
-Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
-Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating;, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
-If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
-CDC does not recommend that people who are healthy wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
-Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
For more information about virus prevention, visit https://www.cdc.gov/. For more information on COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
In addition, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for residents to ask questions about the virus. The hotline is available in English and Spanish. For COVID-19 questions call 210-207-5779. The hotline is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information is also available at www.sanantonio.gov/health/2019ncoronavirus