Policies

INTERIM PATIENT VISITATION GUIDELINES for VA Western New York Healthcare System   

1.  CHANGES EFFECTIVE:  November 9, 2022

2.  PATIENT VISITATION at VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) Buffalo and Batavia Campuses.  These changes will remain in place until further notice.

Buffalo Campus visitation: 

To ensure the safety of Veterans and staff, and to limit the spread of COVID-19, visitation will remain restricted for the following:

• Patients and visitors with COVID-19 or a COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (“PUI”).
• Extremely immunocompromised or high-risk patients (at the determination of facility leadership in consultation with the clinical care team) if the risk is deemed prohibitive.

Acute Care Units:  Visiting Hours 11:00am – 8:00pm

• Two (2) visitors (a family member, caretaker, or responsible adult) over the age of 16 will be permitted at a time at the bedside of the patient.
• At check-in, the visitor will be provided a guest badge to be worn while they are in the building and are to be returned to the same location from which they are obtained when exiting the building. 
• No visitation permitted for COVID-19 Inpatients, a COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (“PUI”) or patients in quarantine (unless compassionate exceptions for end-of-life situations have been granted).
• We may customize visitation based on the patient's condition to ensure proper rest and care. This may include asking visitors to step out or to leave early
• Staff has access to iPads and computer equipment to facilitate remote visitation upon request

Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hospice/Palliative Care:  Visiting Hours 2:00pm – 7:00pm. Hours may vary based on changes in medical care conditions; requires approval of medical care team.

• Two (2) visitors (family member, caretaker, or responsible adult) over the age of 16 is permitted at a time at the bedside of the patient.
• Compassionate exceptions for end-of-life care will be considered thru a request to the attending physician
• Visitation may be delayed, or visitors may be asked to leave because of patient care activity in the unit.
• No overnight stays are allowed.

Behavioral Health (10A):  Visiting Hours M-F (6:00pm – 8:30pm), Sat/Sun/Holidays (10:30am – 12:30pm) and (6:00pm – 8:30pm)

• Visitation in Behavioral Health is by appointment only.
• Please call - Monday-Friday - between 9:00am - 4:00pm to schedule a visitation appointment.
• Two (2) visitors permitted (family member, caretaker, or responsible adult) over the age of 16.

Essential Visitor (Outpatient Clinics and Services):

• The purpose of this visitation is determined on a case-by-case basis by the care team. This visitation must be absolutely essential and critical to the care and needs of the Veteran, (e.g., Veteran in need of escort to accompany to an appointment when the Veteran is unable to safely navigate to the appointment and/or for a Veteran who is unable to comprehend specific teaching instructions or is unable to perform a skill that is critical to the Veterans care including wound care, Foley Care, etc.).
• The patient or their legal representative will determine the designated essential support person who can visit the hospital

VA Community Living Centers:

To ensure the safety of Veterans and staff, and to limit the spread of COVID-19, visitation in Community Living Centers Batavia Campus will be made by appointment only and restricted to the following:

     10:00am – 7:00pm daily.  Evening visits may be scheduled upon request.

• Families are instructed to call the CLC Neighborhood to make appointments. They may also call the Nurse Manager, or Nurse Supervisor if they are unable to speak to the MSA.
  • Maple Lodge
  • Spruce Lodge
  • Pine Lodge
• Two (2) visitors (family member, caretaker, or responsible adult) over the age of 11 are permitted for visitation.
• Visitation may be delayed or shortened due to care or activity on the neighborhood.
• Compassionate exceptions for end-of-life care will be considered thru a request and discussion with physician, nurse manager, and charge nurse.
• No visitation permitted for COVID-19 positive Veterans, COVID-19 Persons Under Investigation (“PUI”) or residents in quarantine (unless compassionate exceptions for end-of-life situations have been granted).
• We may customize visitation based on the resident's condition in order to ensure proper rest and care.

VA Community Living Centers 9a Subacute Rehab:

To ensure the safety of Veterans and staff, and to limit the spread of COVID-19, visitation will remain restricted for the following:

     Visiting Hours 11:00am – 8:00pm

• Two (2) visitors (family member, caretaker, or responsible adult) over the age of 16 are permitted for visitation.
• Visitation may be delayed or shortened due to care or activity on the neighborhood.
• Compassionate exceptions for end-of-life care will be considered thru a request and discussion with physician, nurse manager, and charge nurse.
• No visitation permitted for COVID-19 positive Veterans, COVID-19 Persons Under Investigation (“PUI”) or Veteran in quarantine (unless compassionate exceptions for end-of-life situations have been granted).
• Extremely immunocompromised or high-risk Veteran (at the determination of facility leadership in consultation with the clinical care team) if the risk is deemed prohibitive.

VA Community Living Centers and 9a Subacute Rehab –

     Visitors should:

• Perform hand hygiene when entering facility and before & after visiting the Veteran as instructed by staff.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) while visiting.
• Follow social distancing guidelines, when in waiting areas, etc. 
• Refrain from eating or drinking while visiting.
• Remain in designated areas only except to use the nearest restroom (using a restroom designated for residents are not permitted).
• Exit the facility immediately following the visitation.
• Comply with the visitor instruction including notification that failure to comply with the visitation instructions will result in ending the visitation immediately.
• We may customize visitation based on the resident's condition in order to ensure proper rest and care.

Surgery and Procedure Areas:

• Patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by one visitor.
• The visitor may remain with the patient through the initial intake process and may rejoin the patient for the discharge process.

In all cases staff are expected to enforce compliance of visitation instructions, including advising the visitor to:

• Comply with the visitor instruction including notification that failure to comply with the visitation instructions will result in ending the visitation immediately.
• If assistance is required, contact the manager/designee immediately to intervene and if necessary, the VA Police.
• Wear a face covering consistent with VHA, CDC, and OSHA requirements for hospital settings (neck gators, bandanas, face shields are not an appropriate form of a face covering) while in the facility (if visitor does not have a mask, one will be provided).
• Perform hand hygiene when entering facility and before & after visiting a hospitalized Veteran as instructed by staff.
• Wear and remove all personal protective equipment (PPE) while visiting a hospitalized Veteran as instructed by the staff.
• Remain in the patient’s room of hospitalized patients except to use the nearest restroom (using a restroom designated for patients, is not permitted).
• Refrain from eating or drinking while visiting a hospitalized patient.
• Follow social distancing guidelines, when in waiting areas, etc. 
• Exit the facility immediately following the visitation.

3.  SIGNATORY AUTHORITY:

Michael J. Swartz, FACHE

Executive Director

VA Western New York Healthcare System

Security 
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