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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Hospital Services
Veterans Service Center
The Veterans Service Center is located on the 1st
floor, D-wing. The VSC provides one stop service
for veterans who need to update their insurance, home
address, financial information, means testing, etc. If
you have a question about an inpatient or outpatient
co-payment billing, the VSC is available to help
answer your questions. Veteran benefits counseling
will also be available. Limited inpatient valuables
and inpatient deposit accounts are also maintained
in the VSC. The Patient Representative and
TRICARE Coordinator can be reached at the VSC.
Pastoral Care and Services
Your spiritual well-being is regarded as an integral
part of good health and complete health care. For
this purpose, chaplains are available seven days per
week. Chaplains visit the units daily and are available
for private consultation. If you would like a
special visit or appointment, please ask your nurse
to call the Chaplain Service to make arrangements.
Chaplains can be reached at: extensions 65751 (any/
all chaplains), extension 65748 (Catholic), extension
65749 (Protestant). The chapel and chaplain offices
are conveniently located on the 11th floor in front of
the elevators.
| Protestant Worship Services | Sunday - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday - 2:00 p.m. (ward devotion) |
| Catholic Worship Services | Sunday - 9:00 a.m. |
| Jewish Worship Services | Wednesday (bedside as needed) |
Pharmacy
Inpatient Pharmacy: Pharmacy Service is part of your treatment team
and is available to all hospitalized patients. Medication
counseling is offered at the outpatient
pharmacy window at the time of discharge. Patients
are provided written information with medications
prepared for discharge. In addition, the patient's
medications are reviewed by the nurse before
discharge.
Outpatient Pharmacy: The Outpatient Pharmacy is available to veteran
patients (with the exception of patients using the
TRICARE health plan. TRICARE patients must
use a TRICARE approved pharmacy.)
Upon discharge, your medication may be picked up
at the Pharmacy window from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Your nurse will assist in
obtaining medications if you are discharged after
hours, Saturday or Sunday. You may obtain refills
for your prescriptions by calling the automated
telephone system at 1-800-585-9772 or by mailing in
your refill slip to the Pharmacy. Please be sure to
call or mail your request at least 14 days before you
run out of medication.
Voluntary Service
The staff of the Stratton VA Medical Center is reinforced by over 1,000 volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of valuable service to our facility and those we serve. We try to create a warm, caring environment to make our patients' visits as comfortable as possible. Volunteers provide clerical assistance, staff the Greeters Desk, transport inpatients and outpatients to their appointments and procedures, provide parking lot shuttle service, sponsor evening, weekend and holiday recreation activities, and much, much more. Through donations and volunteer support, Voluntary Service provides personal comfort items (toiletries), phone debit cards for long distance phone calls, stationery and stamps, transportation to the Patient Funds office or Canteen Retail Store. If you ask your nurse to contact Voluntary Service, we will make every effort to fulfill your request.
Volunteer Transportation Program
The volunteer transportation program is designed to
provide transportation services to veterans in need
of medical care at VA medical facilities who have no
other means of transportation. Shuttle service is also
provided to and from the parking lots and the
Medical Center (subject to availability of volunteer
drivers). Inpatient discharge transportation will be
considered on a space available basis. The DAV
Hospital Service Coordinator must be contacted at
extension 65504 at least one day prior to patient
discharge for DAV transportation to be considered.
Canteen and Retail Store
The Canteen, located in the basement, consists of a retail store, cafeteria and vending machines. Services in the store include special order programs and telephone and debit cards. The cafeteria offers a large healthy choice salad bar, country cooking kitchen, a deli counter, pizza shop, bistro and beverages. A vending area is located near the cafeteria. Barber and beauty services are also available. Check with ward personnel for days and times.
| Retail Store |
| Monday – Friday |
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Cafeteria |
| Monday – Friday |
6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| Saturday-Sunday |
Closed |
| Holidays |
Closed |
| Vending Area |
Open 24 hours daily |
| Vending machines are located in the basement, 1st floor, 4th floor, and the 10th floor. |
Canteen Books
Canteen books, redeemable for merchandise sold in our Canteen or Retail Store, are available for patients that require financial assistance to meet their needs as inpatients. They can also be purchased by family members in the Retail Store for use by inpatients.
Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
An ATM machine is located in basement, vending machine room.
Newspapers
Local newspapers are available for purchase in the Cafeteria after 7:00 a.m.
Patient Education
Patient education is an important part of recovery from
any illness. To help keep you healthy, the Medical
Center offers a variety of programs for patients, such as
diabetic classes, nutrition classes and support groups.
Please ask a member of your health care team for more
information on all education classes available.
Library
Library Services are available to both inpatients and
outpatients and their families on the 3rd floor, A wing
(A-326). General reading books and magazines are
available. Volunteers bring the book cart to the wards
on a weekly basis - but a librarian will visit a patient
any time when called.
Patient health information materials can also be
accessed in the library. There are books, pamphlets
and videos. The Health Reference Center is available
on the computer, as well as access to the internet for
searching health-related topics or other information.
Qualified librarians are there to help you search a
topic yourself or to prepare a personalized health
information packet for you. A typewriter is also
available for use.
Talking books are located in the VIST Coordinator's
office - room C-506.
Library hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Call extension 66219 or 66220 to
request a visit from a librarian or to request reading materials or information.
On-Demand Television Health Information Programming
See a health information video by "dialing" them up
at your bedside or in your primary care clinic area.
This video information is available by tuning your
television to channels 29 through 35 and dialing
61820 from in-house phones or 626-5000, extension
61820, from your bedside phone. If you need
assistance, ask a member of your health care team.
Health Touch
Health Touch is an interactive education center that
provides current information on medications,
disease topics, lifestyle issues, wellness, and nutrition.
The system features a unique, interactive,
touch system that has easy to use touch-screen.
Health Touch is located in the Emergency Room
waiting area on the 1st floor, D-wing.
Internet and Web Information
Visit us on line through our Website (http:/www.va.gov/visns/visn02/).Our website provides a lot of information to make it easier for veterans to access updated and accurate
information about the Network and our programs.
Release of Information
Medical information can only be released with your
consent (upon receipt of your written authorization).
If you desire the release of any medical
information about your care, please contact your
ward clerk. The Release of Information Office is
located on the 1st floor, room 109 Core.
Absentee Voting
Veterans who expect to be hospitalized for an
extended time and are registered voters in Albany
County may contact the Veterans Service Center for
an application for an absentee ballot. The procedure
must be started two weeks prior to Election Day.
Interpreter Services
A list is available of VA staff members fluent in a
variety of languages and American sign. Please ask
your health care team if you or your family member
needs an interpreter.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
The Medical Center is equipped with Telecommunications
Devices for the Deaf. Have a member of
your health care team contact the Information
Systems Office at extension 66277 to obtain a TDD
telephone.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: December 28, 2006 |
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