Policies

Please review these guidelines before you visit a patient at our hospital.

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2309

Visiting non-high risk  areas

• Starting May 22, 2023, for inpatients who do not have COVID-19 and aren’t waiting on test results, there are no visitor restrictions and facemasks are optional for Veterans and visitors.

Visiting high risk areas

High risk areas will be identified with signage and masks will be made available in each area.

• Starting May 22, 2023, for inpatients who do not have COVID-19 and aren’t waiting on test results, CLC and SCI/D patients may have 2 indoor visitors per resident/Veteran per day and 5 outdoor visitors per resident/Veteran per day. Additional exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis (i.e.: compassionate care).
• Visitors must be at least 2 years old.
• In 1D (HPC/CLC), 1E, 1F, and SCI/D facemasks are optional for Veterans and residents; and for visitors, facemasks are required in common areas and may be removed upon visits in resident’s private room.
• In 2P (ICU), 3F (including infusion center), ED, 3U, and 3V, SV-4 (Rad/Onc) facemasks are required for Veterans when on the unit; and for visitors, facemasks are required.

Visiting hours and guidelines

Patient visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You should report to the nurse's station before going to a patient's room. We encourage family and friends to visit patients in our facilities.

• Visitors should not enter the facility if they have symptoms of COVID-19
• Visitors should limit movement through the facility as much as possible
• Some areas of the facility have additional measures in place, visitors must comply with any area-specific rules or will be required to leave the building
• At the end of their visit, visitors should exit the hospital in a timely manner to minimize unnecessary face-to-face exposure to other patients or staff
• Visitors may be instructed to leave by hospital staff at any time

Bringing children to visit

Children of all ages can visit patients at our medical center. Children under age 12 should be supervised by an adult.

Internet, cell phones and electronic devices

There is a wireless network in the medical center. There is also limited internet access for families and patients in the Patient Education Center, located on the first floor. The hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Cell phones and electronic devices are permitted within the hospital, except for the following areas:

• Intensive Care and Step-down units
• OR and Post-Anesthesia Care Units
• Dialysis
• Cardiac Catheterization lab
• Emergency Room
• CT, MRI, and Interventional Radiology

Please turn your phone off before entering restricted cell phone-use areas. We request that visitors use phones with the courtesy of others in mind.

Limiting your visit

Our doctors may limit, restrict, or deny visits for the medical well-being of a patient.  We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. 

Prohibited items

You can't bring weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs into the building.  Because the VA medical center is federal property, all visitors and bags may be searched.  

Security 

The VA police patrol the buildings and parking lots every hour of every day. Our police service is located on the first floor of the medical center.

Report to the VA police any suspicious or criminal activity, vehicle accidents, and personal property losses on the facility grounds.