The VA Central Iowa Health Care facilities have placed new visitor restrictions. To protect patients, families, and health care workers during this latest surge of COVID-19, the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System including CBOCs will no longer allow visitors with few exceptions. 

Visitors are not allowed to wait in common areas. Veterans can be dropped off, and those accompanying them should return to their vehicle to wait or return at a later time for pick up. Visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary and as the pandemic dictates. Below is the list of exceptions.

Exception to allow one visitor is if the patient is in the ICU, Emergency Department, or imminently dying.

For these areas, if the visitor is a Primary Caregiver, they must meet the following requirements:

• 18 years of age and older
• Always remain in patient room as appropriate
• Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
• Must be free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)
• Will be required to wear a mask and may be required to wear other Personal Protective Equipment such as gowns, gloves as directed by staff and medical condition.

*Exceptions may be made in certain situations and can be discussed with care teams.

All caregivers are required to wear a mask and wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel/foam upon entering and exiting the patient’s room.

Please note: there are NO exemptions/exceptions for visitors with regard to Personal Protective Equipment and wearing a mask.