VACIHCS allows visitors meeting the following:

Visitors:

• Must not have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past two weeks
• Must be free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)
• Will be required to wear mask and may be required to wear other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gowns, gloves as directed by staff and medical condition. Visitor restrictions are subject to change. 

Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability: Des Moines VA Medical Center campus has wheelchairs upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.

Van services for Veterans

Volunteer Transportation Services (VTN)

Hours: Individual van schedules vary

We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.

Non-VA van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about VTN and the other van services available in your county

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Chaplain Service

A nondenominational chapel is located on the 3rd floor of the Hospital. 
Protestant Worship Services and Catholic Mass are held regularly.

Common conditions: Emergency patient care, spiritual & crisis intervention, grief, addiction, depression,  bereavement, PTSD, suicide ideation 

If you’re struggling with issues like grief, depression, grief, anger or PTSD, we offer counseling and other support. 

Contact information:
Phone: 515-699-5813
3600 30th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50310
Hours 24/7 On Call
Mon. - Fri., 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.     
 

Food and drink

Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Patriot Café
Serving hot and cold entrees, beverages, and desserts.
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed weekends

Patriot Brew Coffee Shop (Starbucks)

Currently not in Operation

Vending machines

Drinks and snacks are available around the clock in the main lobby area.

Retail

The Patriot Store 

A full-service retail store that offers a wide assortment  of snacks, beverages, electronics, clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, and other items. Purchases are tax-free.
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
Closed weekends

Map of the VA Central Iowa campus can be reached using the link below:

https://v2.interactive.medmaps.com/site/iowava

We want to make preparing for surgery as easy as possible.

If you and your provider determine that surgery is the best course of action; one of our surgical clinic nurses will provide you with information that includes preparation instructions and also additional information to help you understand the process and be more comfortable. This information is below. Please keep in mind that the information your nurse gives you is customized to you. The information located on this website is general information. There will be items you will need to reference in the folder you received. 

General anesthesia

Bring

• A responsible adult that can drive you home- *your procedure WILL be cancelled without a driver
• Your VA identification card or Photo ID to your procedure
• Your eyeglasses but leave contacts at home
• Any false teeth or retainers
• Hearing aids if you use them
• Your C-pap/BiPap machine
• Ostomy supplies (if applies)
• Medication list including over-the-counter and herbal
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes

Leave At Home

• Jewelry, money or other valuable
• Medications, inhalers, nebulizers, blood glucose machine
• Pets that are not dedicated service animals. If you bring a dedicated service animal you MUST have a caretaker
• Makeup, remove fingernail polish
• Contacts
• Must make daycare plans for dependents and pets if applicable 

Food and Fluids-
 Important- procedure may be cancelled if these are not followed

• Do not eat, drink or chew anything after midnight, unless otherwise instructed
• No alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to surgery
• No illicit drug use for 1-2 weeks prior to surgery
• Cut back or quit smoking

Medication

• You may be told to stop taking blood thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin. Please consult your preop folder the nurse sent home with you for further information about holding requirements
• Hold fish oil and multivitamin prior to your procedure. Please consult your preop folder the nurse sent home with you for further information about holding medications. 

If you are diabetic

• Hold any oral diabetic pills the morning of surgery (such as metformin) unless otherwise instructed. 
• Hold your short acting insulin the morning of surgery, unless otherwise instructed
• Consult your provider regarding long acting insulin dose (Lantus) before surgery. Typically recommended only ½ dose. 

If you are on blood pressure pills

• Only take metoprolol, atenolol the morning of surgery with a small sip of water (Hold all other blood pressure pills, unless otherwise instructed). 

Labs

• You may have preoperative labs done the day of procedure including COVID nasal swab if not done in advance.

Transportation

• DAV van, taxi, bus or other ‘for hire’ vehicles are NOT an acceptable transportation UNLESS you have a responsible adult who will ride home with you.
• Joy Ride will escort you to your front door however it is recommended that you have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours after (your responsibility to set up).

Parking

• Parking ramp is located next to the ER entrance off 30th Street
• Parking lots are also located by main entrance
• Take elevator A to reach 4th floor surgery check-in

Shower

• Shower the night before surgery. You may be asked to shower again the morning of surgery
• Use soap prescribed, generally chlorhexidine. If none were prescribed use regular soap and water. 

Teeth

• Brush your teeth the morning of surgery. Rinse with water but DO NOT swallow. 

Shaving

• If the surgery is not occurring near the facial area, men should groom beards or mustaches before surgery
• Do not shave the surgical area. Consult the preop folder instructions the nurse gave you for specific time frame. 

Questions?

• If you do not receive a call regarding your arrival time for surgery by 3pm the day before surgery, call: 515-699-5999 ext. 5771.
• For all other questions about your preparation call and ask to speak to your surgical clinic nurse at 515-699-5999

Local anesthesia

Bring

• A responsible adult that can drive you home- *depending on your surgery you may be able to drive home
• Your VA identification card or Photo ID to your procedure
• Your eyeglasses but leave contacts at home
• Any false teeth or retainers
• Hearing aids if you use them
• Your C-pap/BiPap machine
• Ostomy supplies (if applies)
• Medication list including over-the-counter and herbal
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes

Leave At Home

• Jewelry, money or other valuable
• Medications, inhalers, nebulizers, blood glucose machine
• Pets that are not dedicated service animals. If you bring a dedicated service animal you MUST have a caretaker
• Makeup, remove fingernail polish
• Contacts
• Must make daycare plans for dependents and pets if applicable 

Food and Fluids
You may eat a light breakfast
No alcohol or illicit drug use for at least 24 hours prior to surgery
Cut back or quit smoking

Medication

• You may be told to stop taking blood thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin. Please consult your preop folder the nurse sent home with you for further information about holding requirements
• Hold fish oil and multivitamin prior to your procedure. Please consult your preop folder the nurse sent home with you for further information about holding medications. 

If you are diabetic

• Hold any oral diabetic pills the morning of surgery (such as metformin) unless otherwise instructed. 
• Hold your short acting insulin the morning of surgery, unless otherwise instructed
• Consult your provider regarding long acting insulin dose (Lantus) before surgery. Typically recommended only ½ dose. 

If you are on blood pressure pills

• Only take metoprolol, atenolol the morning of surgery with a small sip of water (Hold all other blood pressure pills, unless otherwise instructed). 

Labs

• You may have preoperative labs done the day of procedure including COVID nasal swab if not done in advance

Transportation

• DAV van, taxi, bus or other ‘for hire’ vehicles are an acceptable transportation since you will not have anesthesia
• Joy Ride will escort you to your front door (it is your responsibility to set up)

Parking

• Parking ramp is located next to the ER entrance off 30th Street
• Parking lots are also located by main entrance
• Take elevator A to reach 4th floor surgery check-in

Shower

• Shower the night before surgery. You may be asked to shower again the morning of surgery
• Use soap prescribed, generally chlorhexidine. If none were prescribed use regular soap and water. 

Teeth

• Brush your teeth the morning of surgery. Rinse with water but DO NOT swallow. 

Shaving

• If the surgery is not occurring near the facial area, men should groom beards or mustaches before surgery
• Do not shave the surgical area. Consult the preop folder instructions the nurse gave you for specific time frame. 

Questions?

If you do not receive a call regarding your arrival time for surgery by 3pm the day before surgery, call: 515-699-5999 ext. 5771.
For all other questions about your preparation call and ask to speak to your surgical clinic nurse at 515-699-5999.

Mobile App

Checking in for your VA appointment is now easier and faster. You have the option to do it right from your smartphone. You'll find a QR code in our lobby to allow you to download our new app. Or you can text “check in” to 53079 and you can check in remotely from anywhere up to seven days before your appointment. If you don’t have an internet connection or choose to check-in yourself, our staff can still to check you in.

Check-in is the same whether you do it with mobile check-in or with a staff member. The new app allows you to avoid potential lines at the check-in desk.

You can also review your contact information, emergency contact, and next-of-kin. You can use pre-check-in for more privacy and to save time at the medical center.

After you’ve finished mobile check-in, you’re all set. Have a seat and a VA staff member will come get you for your appointment.