The Department of Veterans Affairs has relaxed masking requirements at its medical facilities.
VA will base its masking guidelines on VHA COVID-19 Health Protection Levels and healthcare facilities’ conditions. When health protection levels are high, masking will remain required.
When health protection levels are low or medium, medical center leadership will conduct a facility risk assessment to determine if it is appropriate for masking to be optional in certain areas at their facility.
“This new policy will ensure the safety of veterans and VA health care providers while accommodating individual masking preferences,” said Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal in a statement. “We're trying to be as open as possible to veteran and clinician and staff preferences alike while aligning with CDC guidelines.”
Masking had previously been required at all times in VA medical facilities, regardless of health protection levels.
Related
Regardless of health protection level or healthcare facility conditions, masking will still be required in high-risk areas such as chemotherapy units, acute inpatient medical/surgical units, intensive care units, post-transplant units and dialysis units. Masking will also be required at all times for individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections.
Visit here for more information about VHA COVID-19 Health Protection Levels.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
Related
