Policies
Find VA policies on privacy and patient rights, family rights, visitation, and more.
Privacy and patient rights
Read VA's national privacy and patient rights policies
Family rights
Read VA's national family rights policy
Visitation policy
Due to the rise in COVID (Delta variant), Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) asks that you adhere to the following guidelines. These procedures are in place for your safety.
EOVAHCS allows one caregiver to be present with the patient for emotional support during their stay. EOVAHCS allows for one support person of the Veteran’s choice unless the individual's presence infringes on others’ rights or safety. The individual may or may not be the patient's surrogate decision-maker or legally authorized representative.
Updated Visitor Policy for Children
Inpatient
- Children under 18 years-old are prohibited from entering inpatient areas
- Clergy are welcome to visit patients who are members of their religious group at the discretion of the unit’s physicians or nurses.
- Phone calls or virtual calls may be an alternative to an in-person visit. Please contact Social Work Service at
for more information.
Outpatient
Children under 18 years old are allowed to accompany Veterans to their Outpatient appointments under the following conditions.
- Child is recommended to wear a mask—provided by the VA. Should a Veteran refuse a mask for a child, allow entrance to VA.
- Child must remain with the Veteran at all times.
Masks Required: Everyone entering EOVAHCS facilities are required to wear a face covering. If you do not have one, VA will provide one to you.
Screening Measures: All VA medical facilities have implemented screening measures for COVID-19. To answer screening questions in advance, you may text 53079, type “screen” into the text box, and hit send. Show your “OK to proceed” to the door screener.
Visiting Hours: Visiting hours vary based on the patient’s location and care:
- One Caregiver is allowed in the General medical, surgical and rehabilitation units – Check with the Veteran’s medical team for visiting hours. If the Veteran is unable to communicate, family members can discuss their preferences with the medical team.
- One Caregiver is allowed in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit– the nurse manager or charge nurse sets visiting hours based on the Veteran’s condition and activity.
- Inpatient COVID-positive Veterans cannot have visitors. Special considerations may be available for Veterans receiving End of Life care.
- Behavioral Medicine (Psychiatric) Unit does not allow in-person visitation. Only phone calls are allowed.
Security
EOVAHCS has a police service that patrols our facilities and parking lots 24/7. Contact VA police about any suspicious or criminal activity, vehicle accidents, and personal property losses on the facility grounds.
For general police assistance, call
VA general visitation policy
The medical center 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, treatment, and services 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, or adoptive, marital, domestic partnership, or other legal ties. The family may also be a person or persons not legally related to the individual (such as significant other, friend or caregiver) whom the individual considers to be family. A family member may be the surrogate decision-maker, as defined in VHA Handbook 1004.02, if authorized to make care decisions for the individual, should he or she lose decision-making capacity or choose to delegate decision making to another.
The medical center allows a family member, friend or other individual to be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of their stay. The medical center 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.
The hospital prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
Advance directives
When faced with difficult decisions about health care, you may struggle with the question of "what should be done?" These resources can help you deal with tough decisions about health care and how to plan for it.
Health Care Ethics Resources for Veterans, Patients, and Families
VA Form 10-0137 - VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
What You Should Know about Advance Directives
Report patient quality of care concerns
Visit the Joint Commission page to report concerns you have about the quality of patient care.