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.
Tomah VA Medical Center: 608-372-3971
400A – Extension 61791
401A – Extension 61609
401B – Extension 61113
402B – Extension 64479
403A – Extension 61748
403AN – Extension 61748
403B – Extension 61799
405C – Extension 64311
406B – Extension 67742
409 – Extension 67742
410 – Extension 67742
412 – Extension 67742
Visiting church members
If you are a member of the religious community, we encourage you to visit patients who belong to your church or religious group. However, you are not allowed to do general visitation by going from bed to bed, ward to ward, or unit to unit.
Bringing food
You may bring small quantities of candy, fruit, and other food items, subject to approval by the nursing staff to ensure they align with the patient's dietary needs.
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 will not be allowed to visit patients inside the medical center.
Giving privacy
Our staff may ask you to leave an area when they are caring for patients. If a staff member asks you to leave an area, 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.
Bringing children to visit
In extreme circumstances, children under 12 may visit with the permission of the physician and the charge nurse. An adult must accompany children at all times.
Visiting psychiatric units with children
Anyone wishing to visit patients on acute psychiatry should contact the unit ahead of time to discuss with staff.
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
Weapons, alcoholic beverages, and Illicit/Illegal drugs are prohibited on Federal Property (VA Regulation 1.2018(b)). Any presenting of these items could result criminal charges. If you have any questions, or concern, please contact the Tomah VA Police at
Security
The Tomah VA Medical Center has a police service. Our officers provide 24-hour patrols of the facility and parking lots.
• For general police assistance, If using a hospital phone, please dial 61244 or 61245. Or if using another, non-VA phone, dial
• In case of an emergency dial 911.
Report all suspicious or criminal activity, vehicle accidents, and property losses to the VA Police while on the facility grounds as soon as possible.
Prohibited Items:
Weapons, alcoholic beverages, and Illicit/Illegal drugs are prohibited on Federal Property (VA Regulation 1.2018(b)). Any presenting of these items could result criminal charges.
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.