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South Texas Veterans Health Care System
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Visiting Hours and Policies
- The visiting hours for the medical and surgical units are 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM continuous, every day of the week, 365 days a year. Exceptions are made by the staff nurse and noted in the patient’s medical record.
- Visiting hours on all psychiatry units are 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM weekdays and 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM on weekends and holidays. Friends may visit in designated areas. Exceptions are made by the staff nurse and noted in the patient’s medical record.
- The visiting hours in all intensive care units (ICU) are from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM for 10 minutes every hour on the half hour (9:30 AM – 9:40 AM, 10:30 AM –10:30 AM, etc). The staff nurse caring for the ICU patient can make exceptions (limit or extend) to this policy as in the best interest of the patient and other patients. Exceptions are noted in the patient’s medical record.
- Patients are encouraged to have two visitors at a time. The staff nurse can limit or extend the visitation practice. Any limits or extensions to visitation will be noted in the patient’s medical record. If necessary, the medical care provider may be consulted regarding medical issues.
- Every employee shares the responsibility of informing patients and visitors regarding the visitation policy. The staff nurse can limit or extend the visitation practice as in the best interest of the patient and other patients. Limits or extensions to visitation are documented in the patient’s medical record.
- Flexible visiting hours to supplement the therapeutic program of the patient may be created as needed so families may participate in support of treatment and discharge planning.
- The staff nurse may make exceptions for patients scheduled for surgery.
- Friends and relatives may visit in the patient’s room except on psychiatry units where they visit in the dayroom or other designated areas.
- Minors, those under 18 years of age, may visit if the patient’s nurse determines that the visit is in the best interest of the patient and the minor has no evidence of communicable disease. A responsible adult must accompany the minor. A responsible adult is defined as a parent or person over the age of 18 who is caring for the safety of the minor. The staff nurse caring for the patient may make exceptions based upon age, the patient’s best interest, impact upon other patients, and the safety of the minor.
- Visitors are requested to enter and exit the hospitals through the main entrances.
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Information for Visitors
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Public Transportation
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: June 23, 2008 |
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