Allan Petermeier, a BAMC inpatient from Universal City and his wife, Mary, stand next to Maj. Tamara Funari, BAMC clinical nurse OIC, 2 West and Anastasia Arvie, BAMC 2 West nurse. Petermeier has been an inpatient for more then two months and his wif...
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Brooke Army Medical Center recently implemented new patient visitation guidelines for Families and visitors of all BAMC inpatients.
This new policy allows the Families to work with the nursing staff to optimize their time and have more flexible visiting hours.
"At BAMC, we encourage a patient- and family-centered care approach. Our new visiting hours are open and flexible, with respect to sleeping hours, which are based on the patients' and Families' needs," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., Brooke Army Medical Center and Southern Regional Medical Command (Provisional) commander.
"Before visiting a patient, please speak with the nurse or physician to determine the best time to visit," said Maj. Tamara Funari, BAMC clinical nurse officer in charge, 2 West. She said she believes the new visitation policy is going well.
"The open visitation allows the nurses the opportunity to assess every situation carefully between the Families to provide the safest environment possible without compromising the best care for the patients," she said.
Ernest French came to BAMC for treatment from Arkansas. "Everyone here is so wonderful and compassionate," his wife Diane French said.
Our staff has made special accommodations and applied the patient- and Family-centered care approach to make the French's stay comfortable, such as overnights at the hospital, Funari said, adding that communication is essential between the staff and the Families to optimize the best care for the patients.
"We anticipate BAMC's flexible, open visitation policy will work well for everyone, as we implement our patient- and Family-centered healthcare delivery," Caravalho said.
BAMC's new patient visitor guidelines:
- Do not visit if you or your children are ill with an infectious disease, such as a cold or flu.
- Wash hands before entering and exiting a patient's room.
- The number of visitors may be limited based on the patient's condition and patient care needs.
- Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Due to a patient's privacy and room size, overnight stays may not be accommodated. Speak with the patient's nurse for further guidance.
- There are special visiting considerations for the Pediatric and Burn Units. Contact the units directly with questions.
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