VA St. Louis Health Care System

Visitor Policy Update

Visitation Policy Update (November 23, 2020)

It’s important to keep our Veterans safe and team members safe. That’s why we’re taking steps to protect our Veterans, team members and the community from COVID-19 through new visitation policies.  We’re temporarily restricting visitation at all campuses of the VA St. Louis Health Care System.  Starting Monday, November 23rd at 6:00 AM, visitors will not be allowed. This restrictions applies for outpatient appointments, inpatients, observation and procedures.  Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Operations Line.  Exceptions could include some of the examples below. 

• Patients who are at the end-of-life (hospice and palliative)
• Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays (where caregiver provides safety)
• Patients who are seeking care in our Emergency Department (ED), where a family member is key to their care (discretionary by ED Charge Nurse in collaboration with the ED Provider

For visitors who fall within the exceptions above, please note, visitors must not have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath), and will be required to participate in our COVID-19 screening.  Screening and masking is required for all Veterans and visitors.