Policies
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
Visiting hours for inpatients at VA Boston Healthcare System:
- Brockton and West Roxbury campuses – between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week.
- Please note that visitors must pass through COVID-19 screening and wear an approved mask while inside VA Boston HCS facilities.
- A patient or resident who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 cannot be visited in person. Exceptions can be made for end of life or other extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of nursing / clinical leadership.
We appreciate how important visitation is to healing, and we will continue to facilitate virtual visitation using iPads and cell phones for those unable to visit in person. Additional visitation options are available for end of life care.
Thank you for your patience and understanding of our continuing efforts to protect our patients and coworkers.
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.
Escorting Veterans to outpatient visits
Veterans should come alone to outpatient appointments whenever possible. One spouse, family member, caregiver or other escort, age 16 and over, may accompany the Veteran to an appointment or an urgent care / emergency room visit when necessary for mobility assistance, to facilitate communications, or when otherwise essential to the care of the patient, subject to the discretion of the clinical care team.
Security
VA Boston Healthcare System has a Police Service. Our officers provide 24-hour patrols of the facility and parking lots. For general police assistance, please dial 45291 on a hospital phone. Or you can dial on any phone 774-826-1107 or 774-826-2530.
In case of an emergency, dial 55911 on a hospital phone. Or you can dial on any phone:
- Brockton VA Medical Center: 774-826-3375
- Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center: 857-364-5293
- West Roxbury VA Medical Center: 857-203-6007
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. Because the VA Boston Healthcare System is federal property, all persons and bags are subject to search. In addition, no weapons, alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted.
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.