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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
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Syracuse VA Medical Center Outpatient Care Services
Outpatient Primary Care
Every patient who enrolls with a VA health care facility is assigned to a primary care provider. This provider is part of a Primary Care Team designed to coordinate all of the services you need to meet your health care needs. Whether that team is located in a VA medical center or in one of our community based outpatient clinics, your primary care visit will be set up and scheduled at your convenience.
During your visit:
- You will meet your assigned primary care provider
- You will have a physical examination.
- Your primary care provider will determine if you need any additional diagnostic testing, which may include blood/lab work, X-ray, EKG, etc.
- A complete medical history will be obtained. Bring a list of your current medications.
- Initial screenings may be done regarding your use of tobacco, alcohol, risk factors for Hepatitis C, and any history of military sexual trauma.
- Appropriate referrals for specialists will be made as necessary.
Preventive health maintenance is a strong emphasis within primary care at VA. Primary care providers provide annual physical examinations and screenings. This aids in finding any health changes and the early start of appropriate medical treatment. This may prevent or lessen major medical problems for you in the future. You can expect your primary care provider to discuss preventive health activities such as:
- Vaccines: flu, tetanus, pneumonia
- Depression screening
- Women's health issues: regular Pap smears and mammograms
- Education on prostate cancer screening for men over 50
- Colon cancer screening for anyone over 50
- Regular exercise and good nutrition to keep you healthy
Primary care providers and teams also evaluate any emergency medical needs between scheduled visits, arrange medication refills, answer questions about medications and order consultation by specialists.
Our goal in primary care is to improve the coordination of your health care needs. This will allow our health care professionals to provide the best care possible.
These services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Outpatient care and services are closed on holidays.
Clinic Appointments
To make or cancel an appointment call 1-800-221-2883 or (315) 425-4400.
Please let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment. If travel arrangements have been made for this appointment, notify the Transportation Office. When reporting for a clinic appointment, we ask that you check in no earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Every effort will be made to see patients at their scheduled time; in some cases this may not always be possible.
TelCare
TelCare is a toll-free medical advice line for veterans and their families. It is a program of qualified professionals (registered nurses) who provide telephone access to clinical care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (including weekends and holidays) throughout Central and Western New York. Call TelCare at 1-888-838-7890 with your medical and health care questions or concerns. If you need emergency care, you will be instructed on where to receive immediate attention.
Emergency Care Services
Medical personnel are available in our Emergency Department, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
The Emergency Department is located on the ground floor, off of University Place. It is close to the ramp leading to the parking garage. Dial VA TELCARE toll-free at 1-888-838-7890.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
The Syracuse VA Medical Center has outpatient clinics in Auburn, Binghamton, Carthage, Cortland, Ithaca, Massena, Oswego and Rome. These clinics are affiliated with the Medical Center and are committed to helping you meet your health care needs. A health care team of physicians, nurses, clerical staff, and others will provide primary care for you at these clinics. A listing of CBOCs is available in the telephone directory section of this guide. The Veterans Service Center (VSC) can also give you information about the CBOCs. Contact the VSC at (315) 425-4400.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: October 10, 2008 |
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