Policies

VA Salt Lake City VISITOR POLICY 

The VA Salt Lake City Health Care System respects a Veteran’s right to make decisions about their care, treatment and services and to involve their family in their care decisions.

GENERAL VISITOR GUIDELINES

• All visitors with a contagious illness should postpone their visit until they are no longer contagious.  
• Visitors are encouraged to enter and exit through the main lobbies of each building. 
• All individuals must follow current VA Salt Lake City Health Care System masking guidance.

INPATIENT AREAS

• Normal visiting hours are between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.  Overnight visitation is not authorized, except in the case of end-of-life care.
• No Plants or flowers are allowed to be delivered to patients. 
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Visitation is allowed as long as it is not infringing on the rights and privacy of another patient.
• If a patient is in isolation for COVID-19, visitors will be trained and given proper Personal Protective Equipment.
• Any visitor may be requested to leave for brief periods as needed to provide privacy for patient care, patient confidentiality and/or patient rest.  This request may be made by the patient, the nurse or the medical staff.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN HIGH RISK AREAS

• Infusion clinics and its waiting areas,
• Dialysis and associated waiting area,
• Emergency Department and its waiting areas,
• Masking also continues to be required for those with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or other viral respiratory infection.

OUTPATIENT AREAS AND COMMUNITY CLINICS

No visitor restrictions.

PLEASE NOTE: Veterans may bring their children or grandchildren to outpatient clinics, specialty clinics, and community clinic, but children under 16 shall not be left UNATTENDED while a Veteran is in a medical appointment.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

• 24 hour a day, open visiting schedule.
• Only one visitor in patient room at a time. All other visitors need to wait in emergency department lobby. Exceptions made for end-of-life care and religious rites.
• Any visitor may be requested to leave for brief periods as needed to provide privacy for patient care, patient confidentiality and/or patient rest.  This request may be made by the patient, the nurse or the medical staff.

Animals

Pets are not allowed in the medical center. Service dogs and animals associated with formal programs sponsoring animal assisted therapy or activities are allowed. The animal must be kept on a short leash. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for the animal. In special patient circumstances the facility director or his or her designee may grant special permission for a personal pet to visit a hospitalized patient. The staff will give guidance as to appropriate locations for the animal to visit.