A visit from your family members and friends is a welcome part of your hospital stay. Since the recovery of our patients is of utmost importance to us, we have established the following rules:
Visitors are expected to be quiet and orderly, and to obey all medical center rules and regulations. Special visiting are coordinated with the unit's head nurse. Whenever possible and medically appropriate, the nurse will make the arrangements to meet patient and family needs. Visitors are not permitted in the recovery room following the surgery of a family member or friend. - Children must not be left unattended at any time..
All persons, including visitors, who enter the Medical Center, must consent to the inspection of their packages, luggage and any other containers in their possession. Those who decide not to allow these items to be inspected will be denied admission. VA Police are responsible for ensuring that these procedures are enforced.
If you are unable to visit a patient personally, you may call the patient or send a card or gift.
Number of Visitors
A patient may receive no more than two visitors at a time.
Food and Beverages
Visitors may not bring food, beverages or medications to patients without authorization from unit physicians or nurses. Possession, sale or use of illicit drugs, narcotics or alcohol is prohibited on VA property. This carries serious penalties.
Children Under 15 Years of Age
Under no circumstance visitors under 15 years old are not allowed on the hospitalized patient wards (4th to 9th floors) except in the Nursing Home, Nursing Home Transitional and Hospice. In some cases children will be allowed to visit a relative in an inpatient area if authorized by the Veteran's physician.
Visitors who are less than 15 years of age will also be permitted in the outpatient areas.
In extreme circumstances, children under 15 may visit with the permission of the physician and the charge nurse. An adult must accompany children at all times.
Clergy
Members of the clergy are welcome to visit patients who are members of their particular religious group at any time at the discretion of the unit physicians or nurses.
Exceptions
For the health and well-being of a patient, the attending physician may limit, restrict, or deny visitation. We apologize for any inconvenience when this occurs, and appreciate your understanding that it may be medically necessary.
Security/Practices Not allowed
An electronic surveillance system has been installed in the VA Hospital to prevent removing VA property. Infractions carry serious penalties. The VA may inspect all packages and bags brought in or out of the hospital.
Cellular Phones
The use of cellular phones is prohibited inside of the building because they may interfere with medical equipment.
Dangerous Weapons
Dangerous weapons (fire arms, clubs, etc.) are prohibited in this hospital. If you have any weapons, they must be deposited in the Police Service Office on the first floor.
Gambling and Commercial Transactions
Gambling, selling or engaging in commercial transactions of any kind is prohibited in the hospital grounds.
Property Damages
Anyone deliberately damaging VA property will be required to pay for the damage. The removal of hospital property such as pajamas, sheets, covers, pillows, pillowcases and towels is not allowed.
Other Practices
Gift giving or tips to any of our employees is not allowed. Remind your family not to give gifts or tips. It is our privilege to take care of you. Do not tape or record any conversation with healthcare team members or other patients without their permission. Please direct any questions about your health care to your doctor or other members of your health care team. Photos are not allowed in any areas of the Hospital, unless authorized by official personnel.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in any building or on the premises of the hospital. There are designated smoking areas outside the hospital such as:
1st floor, breezeway main building Ward 2C2 terrace (2nd floor) First and second floor terraces at the Nursing Home Building.
Visiting Hours
Under normal conditions, the following visiting hours will be observed:
Visiting Hours - (Weekdays, Weekends, Holidays)
Medical Intensive Care Unit MICU
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Surgical Intensive Care Unit SICU & Intermediate Surgical Care Unit (ISCU)
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Two close relatives will be allowed at the same time for each patient.
Relatives will be requested to leave the cubicle while a special procedure is being done.
Special authorization to remain bedside will be granted to close relatives for terminally ill patients. In special circumstances visits to patient can be limited by doctor’s order for the benefit of the patient. The patient has the right to request “no visits” Visitors under twelve (12) years of age will be permitted, if approved by the physician.
Coronary Care Unit (CCU)
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Intermediate Coronary Care Unit (ICCU)
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Visitors to Intensive Care Units limited to no more than two visitors per patient at a time and for five (5) minutes
Psychiatric Acute Inpatient Care Unit (PAICU)*
- Mondays:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesdays:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays:1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday:1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
*With staff authorization and supervision: Visitors are permitted in Psychiatric Acute Inpatient Care Unit (PAICU), except for patient in constant observation or patient on close observation but that the interdisciplinary team understand are fragile or psychotic. Visitation out of the established hours may be arranged with nurse manager and or physician.
Medical/Surgical/Rehabilitation/SCI Wards
Weekdays, Weekends & Holidays
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Visits to patients listed as “Seriously ill” will not be limited to any particular hours, but will be limited to members of the immediate family or requested clergy. Only one relative can remain overnight with the patient, if on S.I. list. Any other patient requiring a companion overnight must request a written pass. The Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse will grant a written pass not to exceed 72 hours at a time to the patient’s caregiver (see Attachment A).
Under ordinary circumstances, visitors under twelve (12) years of age will not be permitted to visit on the Wards. They should stay in the main lobby, accompanied by an adult. Exceptions to this must be approved by the physician or nurse in charge of the Ward.
When necessary, it will be the responsibility of the Team Leader/Nurse Manager to limit the number of visitors to any patient at a given time. The number of visitors must not exceed two/three people at a time. Patient privacy during house staff rounds must be protected at all times. Visitors should be oriented as to remain in designated waiting areas as to comply with HIPAA regulations. Visitors are required to follow procedures indicated on the isolation signs, or follow instructions when an outbreak or special event occurs.
Visitors for patients in Intensive Care Unit will normally be limited to no more than two (2) at a time for five (5) minutes duration when approved by the attending physician. The charge nurse in the Intensive Care Unit will be responsible for orienting family members concerning the specific visiting hours, which are available in each unit.
Restrictions on patients’ visitation rights, not in compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs and Medical Center Policy, will be clearly documented in the patient’s medical record by the Registered Nurse (RN) or MD and evaluated for therapeutic effectiveness when applicable.
Community Living Center units and Hospice’s regular visiting hours are as liberal as possible, limited only by the patients/residents’ personal preferences. Persons entering before 10:00 A.M. and after 8:00 P.M. are requested to identify themselves to the nurse in charge. Rules and regulations governing visitors and visiting hours are effectively communicated to all concerned. Space is provided for residents to receive visitors in comfort and privacy. Patients/Residents’ rights are considered in all interactions.
Children of any age are welcome to visit patients/residents in Community Living Centers and the Hospice Care unit. However, children must not be left unattended when in the building or on the grounds.
Visit to patients by an employee who is related to him/her will be carried out as stated in this center memorandum. Confidentiality of patient information must be assured. At no time is the employee/visitor authorized to obtain information from patient’s medical record.
OUTPATIENT: Visitors under twelve (12) years of age will be permitted in
the Satellite Clinics, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC’s), and the outpatient area of the Medical Center. Visitors under age of twelve (12) must be under adult supervision.
DRESS CODE: Visitors are expected to wear clothing that is suitable for the hospital environment. The length of all skirts and shorts cannot be more than 4" above the knee while standing. Mini-skirts, spaghetti-strap dresses, dresses/blouses with low tops, bare shoulders, or shirts open to the waistline will not be allowed in the hospital premises.
|
