The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) says they are committed to providing high-quality care while keeping Veterans safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

"Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures and out of concern for our Veterans, we are honoring current social isolation and distancing guidelines," said Jennifer Vedral-Baron, TVHS health system director. "Through TVHS virtual care tools, we are able to leverage available technology to make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible during this time"

To address our Veterans' most-urgent needs first, the local VA asks that Veterans use the system's online tools for routine or non-urgent questions.

Veterans have the opportunity to use the following virtual tools:

• Telephone or Video Appointments - Veterans can receive care at home -- either over the phone or via video using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can send their provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting www.myhealth.va.gov. Veterans may also call, but VA is requesting that Veterans only call with urgent needs at this time. To learn more about VA Video Connect, visit www.mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.

• Secure Messaging - With My HealtheVet, VA's online patient portal, Veterans can send online secure messages to their TVHS health care team to ask them non-urgent health questions. Register at www.myhealth.va.gov

About TN Valley Healthcare System:

TVHS is an integrated tertiary health care system comprised of two hospitals, the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro and the Nashville Campus, as well as more than a dozen community-based outpatient clinics located in Tennessee and Kentucky. TVHS provides ambulatory care, primary care, and secondary care in acute medicine and surgery, specialized tertiary care, transplant services, spinal cord injury outpatient care, and a full range of extended care and mental health services.