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VISN 17-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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| Reviewed/Updated Date:March 26, 2008 |
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