Before visiting a patient at a VA facility, review these guidelines:　

Visiting hours:

Contact the appropriate medical center or outpatient clinic for specific visiting hours and information, or access the facility's webpage by clicking on the name of the facility below:

Milwaukee VA Medical Center: 414-384-2000

Cleveland VA Clinic: 920-693-5600

John H. Bradley (Appleton) VA Outpatient Clinic: 920-831-0070

Milo C. Huempfner (Green Bay) VA Outpatient Clinic: 920-431-2500

Union Grove VA Clinic: 262-878-7000

Visitation Guidance

Effective July 25, 2022

All visitors must wear an appropriate face covering consistent with facility policy and must conduct hand hygiene upon entrance and exit of the Veteran's room. Visitor wristbands issued at entrance should be visible at all times. Visitors are limited to the Veteran's room only unless otherwise noted.

Inpatient visitors under 18 years old must be supervised at all times by an adult who is not the patient.

Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general-population, inpatient units in the main hospital in Milwaukee. The frequency and duration of visits will be coordinated with the care team, based on the Veteran’s needs.

Medical and Surgical Units (including intensive care and progressive care )

• Up to two visitors per day per Veteran inpatient.
• Visit duration may be up to four hours, dependent on patient tolerance and/or recommendations as monitored by assigned health care professional.
• Veterans who are admitted to the inpatient unit between 8 p.m. and 7:45 a.m. may have one visitor who is allowed a 20-minute visit to support the admission process, and then may return during the next normal visitation period.
• Virtual visits can be coordinated between staff and family.

3C, DOM 123 (Mental Health)

• No visitation, unless pre-arranged by the intradisciplinary team on a case-by-case basis.
• Virtual visits are preferred and can be coordinated between staff and family.

Emergency Department

• Up to two visitors per Veteran are permitted, including in waiting areas.
• COVID-positive patients will not be granted a visitor unless an essential caretaker is deemed necessary by clinical staff.

COVID Patients (any inpatient visits)

• In-person visitation is approved only for those who may be imminently dying.
• Recommendation is one visit per length of stay, with frequency and duration to be discussed with the assigned care team based on Veteran’s need and life-sustaining treatments.
• Virtual visits are preferred and can be coordinated between staff and family.

Community Living Centers (9A, 9CS, 9CN, buildings 146, 147, 148)

• Up to two visitors per Veteran, at any one time.
• Visit duration may be up to four hours, dependent on patient tolerance and/or recommendations as monitored by assigned health care professional.
• Visit must occur in private room (or double room, but staggered so only one Veteran is present during the visit), dining room or patio.
• Visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (cough mask and face shield).
• Outdoor visits are preferred and can be coordinated between staff and family.

Spinal Cord Injury

• Up to two visitors per Veteran at any one time.
• Visit duration may be up to four hours, dependent on patient tolerance and/or recommendations as monitored by assigned health care professional.
• Visit must occur in private room (or double room but staggered so only one Veteran is present during the visit), dining room or patio..
• Visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (cough mask and face shield).
• Outdoor visits are preferred and can be coordinated between staff and family.

Imminently Dying and End of Life (non-COVID)

Up to two visitors at any one time per Veteran. Only one person authorized for an overnight stay.

Outpatient

One escort as necessary to support goals of the visit (essential caretaker).

Outpatient visitors under 18 years old must be supervised at all times by an adult who is not the patient.

Food and Beverages

Visitors may not bring food or beverages to patients without authorization from physicians or nurses. Call ahead to discuss with clinic staff.

Children Under 18 Years Old

Children under 18 must be supervised at all times by an adult who is not the patient.

Exceptions

For the health and well-being of all patients and staff, the physicians may limit, restrict or deny visitation. We apologize for any inconvenience when this occurs and appreciate your understanding that it may be medically necessary. In the event this happens, video or virtual visits can be used.

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. 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.  

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.

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.