Policies

Before visiting a patient at a VA facility, review these guidelines:　

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is committed to Patient-Centered care incorporating a healthcare environment that is welcoming not only to veterans, but also their family and friends. Patient visitation is an important component of the care of hospitalized patients and reflects the needs of those it serves. STVHCS supports visiting hours that promote healing for Veterans and families, while also promoting a therapeutic environment.

STVHCS respects the patient’s right to make decisions about his or her care, treatment and services, and to involve the patient’s family in care, services, and treatment decisions to the extent permitted by the patient or surrogate decision-maker. “Family” is defined as a group of two or more persons united by blood, adoptive, marital or domestic partnership, or other legal ties. The family may also be a person or persons not legally related to the individual (such as a significant other, friend or caregiver) whom the individual considers to be family. A family member may be the surrogate decision-maker, as defined in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook 1004.02, if authorized to make care decisions for the patient, should the patient lose decision-making capacity. STVHCS allows a family member, friend or other individual to be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of a stay. STVHCS allows for the presence of a support individual of the patient’s choice, unless the individual’s presence infringes on others’ rights or safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated. The individual may or may not be the patient’s surrogate decision-maker or legally authorized representative. STVHCS prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, and sexual orientation.

Visiting hours
Daily visitation is scheduled from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT. with a maximum of one visitor at a time for inpatient areas.

Visitation may be allowed outside 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. if the care team or providers decide it is in the best interest of the patient, with one visitor at a time.

Outpatient Areas: One essential caregiver per patient (e.g., driver for post procedure, patient’s incapable of understanding, immobile patient [wheelchair]).

Mental Health Units: In the Mental Health Units, visiting hours are 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays and 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 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.

All inpatient units other than Mental Health Units: visiting hours allow a family member, friend, or other individual to be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the day.

Following infection-control guidelines
You must follow guidelines on infection-control signs and report to the nurses' station for instructions before you enter a patient's room. Visitation restrictions may be subject to adjustment, based on assessment of infectious risk to veterans, staff and or visitors. 

Staying home if you are ill
If you have a communicable disease, you won't be allowed to visit patients inside the medical center. If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, you are encouraged to wear a mask while in the facility. 

Bringing children to visit
Children of all ages can visit patients at our medical center. For infection-control and safety reasons, however, children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (parent or person over the age of 18 who is caring for the safety of the minor).

Inpatient setting: May visit if the patient’s nurse determines that the visit is in the best interest of the patient. 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.

Outpatient setting: May accompany parents or grandparents to primary care or specialty care appointments. If personal examination is expected during the appointment or if testing is being performed which would separate the child from the adult (x-rays, GI procedures, psychotherapy) the parent should make alternative childcare arrangements. When hazardous materials are in use (chemotherapy), children should not be present. There are no childcare services within the medical center or at any CBOC.

Visiting psychiatric units with children
Children under the age of 16 may visit patients in psychiatric units with the doctor’s permission.

Visitors are requested to enter and exit the hospital through the main entrance.

Security 
The VA police patrol the buildings and parking lots every hour of every day.