Policies

Visiting hours

Call the Hines VA Hospital for specific ward visiting hours and information: 708-202-8387

Visitation Policy 

Effective March 12, 2024, masking will be optional in non-clinical areas and outpatient waiting areas of Hines VA’s main hospital campus and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.​

Masking is required in the following areas: Dialysis, ICU, ED, SCI, CLC, and RCF.

Patients or staff can request a mask be worn, and anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to mask.​

Outpatient visitation is unrestricted at the discretion of individual medical service requirements. Guests should check with inpatient units before visiting Hines VA Hospital or its CBOC locations. Inpatient visitation will be limited to individuals over 12 years old.​

Emergency Department visitation is restricted to one visitor in patient treatment areas and two in the waiting area.

Bringing food

You may bring small amounts of candy, fruit, and other food items if the nursing staff says they are appropriate for a patient's diet. You may not bring fresh fruit and flowers to patients who are receiving critical care, and you can’t eat or drink in those units.

Washing hands

You must follow hand-hygiene policy guidelines, which require you to practice good hand hygiene when you enter and exit patient rooms, and at other times as directed by staff.

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.

Staying home if you are ill

If you have a communicable disease, you won't be allowed to visit patients inside the medical center.

Prohibited items

You're not allowed to bring weapons, cameras, or other prohibited items into the medical center, except when you're conducting official business authorized by the Director or their designee. If you have questions about what qualifies as official business, please contact the facility's Director.

Giving privacy

Our staff may ask you to leave the room when they’re caring for patients. If a staff member asks you to leave a patient's room, you may continue your visit in the day room, waiting area, or any other public area of the facility.

Visiting seriously ill patients

Relatives and friends may visit patients who are seriously ill or in hospice care at any time of day, unless the staff doctor says no. Speak to the patient's medical providers for additional details. 

Visiting patients in restraints

In general, you won't be allowed to visit patients who are in restraints. If the treatment team decides that your visit could have a positive effect on the patient, then you may have a supervised visit with the patient when a staff member removes the restraints. Our staff will document how the patient responds to you and other visitors.

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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital has a police service. Our officers provide 24-hour patrols of the facility and parking lots.

• For general police assistance, on hospital phones please dial 22013.  On other phones, dial 708-202-8387, ext. 22013.  
• In case of an emergency, on hospital phones please dial 23200. On other phones, dial 708-202-8387, ext. 23200.

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. The medical center is federal property, and therefore all persons and bags are subject to search. In addition, weapons, alcohol, and illegal drugs are not permitted.