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
Before visiting a patient at a VA facility, review these guidelines:
Visiting hours:
Call the medical center for specific ward visiting hours and information.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center: 310-478-3711
When Visiting the Healthcare System
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or flu like symptoms), please go to the COVID testing site at the location nearest you.
- At the West Los Angeles campus, COVID testing is located in the bldg. 500 main lobby.
- All CBOCs have COVID testing available, walk-in or call to make an appointment to get tested.
- Effective April 1, 2024 we will require masking only in high risk areas – Hemodialysis, Emergency Department, Infusion Center, and Community Living Center (CLC) – with masking optional in all other locations.
- Healthcare grade masks (surgical or procedure masks) are acceptable and will be provided for anyone entering one of our facilities that does not have one.
- Individuals may wear face shields as an additional protection, but healthcare grade masks are required under the face shield.
- Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer regularly.
- Certain high-risk areas might institute visitation policies that restrict the hours, volume, or conditions of visitation to ensure the safety and therapeutic benefit of Veterans and other patients such as roommates. Some of these clinical areas may include: ED/Acute Inpatient, Inpatient Mental Health and Residential units, CLC and other congregate settings.
If individuals refuse to comply with safety protocols, they will be asked to leave the facility.
COVID-19 Vaccination
- We encourage everyone who is eligible to get fully vaccinated and receive booster doses.
- COVID-19 vaccines are available at all our healthcare locations.
- Walk-ins are welcome or you can call ahead if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Please remember that these policies are in place to keep Veterans and staff safe. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates. For more information on VA's response to COVID-19, please visit www.va.gov/coronavirus.
Security
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center has a Police Service. Our officers provide 24-hour patrols of the facility and parking lots. For general police assistance, please dial 310-268-4524
Report all suspicious or criminal activity, vehicle accidents, and personal property losses to the VA Police while on the facility grounds as soon as possible.
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.