All visitors to Bay Pines VA Healthcare System must sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge in the main hospital building.  This may be done at the Information Desks during normal business hours or from the Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD) after hours in the evenings, weekends, and holidays.   You can reach the AOD by calling (727) 398-6661, extension 7154.

Your health care team may change visiting hours to meet your needs.  Usually children younger than 12 years old are not allowed above the first floor. 

Visitors must use the Emergency Room entrance after hours. The parking lot for visitors is located in front of the hospital.

• General Visiting Hours (Bldg. 100)
  Daily:  1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Intensive Care Units (ICUs) (Bldg. 100)
  Daily:  7:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m.,
  6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., and by special arrangement
  Only two family members/significant others may visit for 20 minutes at these times in the ICUs.  If you need to make other arrangements for your visitors, tell the staff.  Visitors can go to the ICU waiting rooms on the second floor and call the ICU unit at the numbers posted by the telephones.
• Acute Psychiatry Unit (Bldg. 1 Floor 4)
  Monday through Friday:  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Weekends and holidays: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Gero Psychiatry Unit (Bldg. 1 Floor 5)
  Daily:  1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Community Living Center (Nursing Home Care Units)
  Daily: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Things to Know

ATM  Machines

ATM machines are located on our main campus in the dining area of the Food Court in Bldg. 1, in the vending area by the front lobby of Bldg. 100, and outside the Bay Pines Federal Credit Union building.

Conduct

• Do not use alcohol or illegal drugs and do not gamble here while on VA property.
• Do not enter areas that are posted “No Patients Beyond This Point.”
• Please be considerate of others while you are here.  Keep your voices quiet and the television and radio volumes low so you do not disturb other patients.  If anyone bothers you by using a loud voice or bad language, let a nurse know.
• Do not tape record or videotape any conversations with the health care team or other patients without their written permission. 

Fire and Disaster Drills

Fire and disaster drills are practiced so that the staff will know what to do in a real emergency.  If you hear the fire alarm, be calm and follow the instructions given to you by the staff in your area.

Gifts

Do not give gifts or money to any of our employees.  It is our privilege to take care of you. 

Homeland Security

Homeland Security guidelines require certain measures to protect you and our staff, including limiting access to our grounds and buildings.  The doors are open 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  After hours you may enter the main hospital building only through the Outpatient Entrance.  Our west main gate (Bay Pines Blvd. and 100th Way N.) is usually open.  Our east gate is closed on weekends, holidays, and on weeknights from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Lost and Found

Read about our Lost and Found here.

Newspapers

The St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune are sold at newspaper racks on each floor of the main hospital building (Bldg. 100) and on the first floor of Bldg. 1.

Pets

Pets are not allowed on VA property, except for service animals or those involved in pet therapy programs sponsored by recreation Therapy.  Do not leave pets in your car.

Post Office

The US Postal Service office at Bay Pines is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays (closed for lunch from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) The Post Offcie is located on the first floor of building 20.

Shuttle Service

The shuttle service program consists of passenger carts which make continuous loops to and from the visitors' parking lots and the Medical Center.  All shuttle stops are clearly marked.  There is also a separate shuttle that runs between the Regional Office and the Medical Center's Outpatient Entrance.  The shuttles run Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., excluding holidays.

Smoking

Do not smoke anywhere in our buildings or near the entrances to the buildings.  We are a smoke-free environment.  Designated smoking areas are located outside the buildings.  If you smoke within the hospital, you are subject to fines and other disciplinary actions.

Weapons

Do not bring any weapons onto VA property.  Everyone is subject to inspection of all packages in their possession.  Refusal of consent to inspection is basis for denial of entry onto VA property.  If you have any weapons, you must give them to the VA Police to hold during your stay here.

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