COVID-19 Information & Resources COVID-19 Information & Resources Home » COVID-19 Information & Resources » Visitor Restrictions Visitor Restrictions General Guidelines | Non-COVID Inpatient Admissions | Non-COVID Emergency Department (ED) Patients | Non-COVID Patient Surgical and Interventional Procedures | Non-COVID Outpatient Services | Non-COVID Practice-Based Offices—Medical Group | Inpatient Pediatric Patients | Labor & Delivery/Post-Partum Patients | Infant Special Care Unit | Adolescent Psychiatric Care | Visitor Screening Process | Extenuating Circumstances Updated and Effective Monday, October 28, 2021 NorthShore is committed to keeping you safe while you are in our care. We understand how important it is for patients to have the support of loved ones while in our hospital or at one of our other care facilities. Our visitor restrictions are based on CDC-established guidelines; and are in place for the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff. Our visitor restriction policy is subject to change based on these guidelines. General Guidelines for All Visitors Visitor Screening All visitors must undergo and pass our Visitor Screening upon entry, including: No active COVID infection. No exposure to COVID in the last 14 days. Meet CDC Travel Guidelines. If a visitor fails the screening, they will be asked to leave the hospital. Visitor Requirements Visitors must be at least 18 years old and pass our Visitor Screening. Visitors must follow all safety preventive measures across all our care sites: Wear a mask at all times and in all areas. Ensure the mask covers both nose and mouth. Maintain proper physical distance of at least six feet or more. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Limit visit to patient room or waiting area and not the entire hospital or care site. Non-COVID Inpatient Admissions Two screened visitors (18 or older) are allowed per day (together or separate) from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. Kindly remain in your loved one’s room as much as possible. Once visitors pass their screening, they will be directed to the appropriate nursing station to check-in and sign a log indicating arrival time. We also encourage patients to keep in contact with family members and friends virtually (phone, FaceTime, or other phone-based video communication), and/or text. Each non-COVID ICU patient is allowed up to two screened visitors per day (together or separate) from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration. Visiting hours are 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Special circumstances are managed in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. A family member is provided a phone number and security code to speak with the team. Exceptions to the visitor guidelines may be made under Extenuating Circumstances in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. All waiting areas are configured to account for proper physical distancing of at least six feet between individuals. If this is not possible, then our staff will direct visitors to wait elsewhere temporarily. Regarding patient discharge: the patient’s clinical team will notify the visitor as to the impending date/time of discharge. Up to two visitors who have passed our Visitor Screening will be allowed to enter the patient’s room to hear discharge instructions and assist in the departure from the hospital. Non-COVID Emergency Department (ED) Patients Patients who come to our ED are allowed up to two screened visitors (see Visitor Screening) to accompany them to the ED treatment area. The visitors must be at least 18 years old; and must at all times remain with the patient, wear a mask and follow all safety measures. For everyone’s safety, no visitors are allowed to stay in the ED waiting room. If the patient is admitted to the hospital, then up to two screened visitors are allowed to accompany them to the inpatient unit, with the exception of minors. Minors (under 18) who are admitted to the hospital may have up to two screened parents or legal guardians accompany them to the inpatient unit. Non-COVID Patient Surgical and Interventional Procedures Each patient is allowed up to two visitors (age 18 and up) who pass our Visitor Screening to accompany them during: Pre-procedure surgical/interventional procedure. Post-procedure for patient discharge instructions. Visitors must wear a mask at all times and follow all safety precautions. Those who fail the screening will be asked to wait outside/in their vehicle. Visitors are NOT allowed to wait in the waiting area if difficult for them to return to their car. Our staff will notify the identified visitor to return when the procedure is completed and to be present during the post-procedure discharge process. Regarding patient discharge—the patient’s clinical team will notify the visitor as to the impending date/time of discharge. Up to two visitors who have passed our Visitor Screening will be allowed to enter the patient’s room to hear discharge instructions and assist in the departure from the hospital. Exceptions to the visitor guidelines may be made under Extenuating Circumstances in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Non-COVID Outpatient Services We encourage patients to come alone to their appointment (e.g., Mammogram, MRI, X-ray, blood draw, or other outpatient procedures) whenever possible; otherwise, each patient is allowed up to two screened visitors (age 18 and up) and follows all safety measures, including wearing a mask at all times. Visitors who fail the screening will not be allowed to accompany the patient and will be asked to wait outside/in their vehicle until staff notifies them that the outpatient procedure is completed. If the situation involves a minor, our staff will contact the minor’s doctor to determine next steps. Exceptions to the visitor guidelines may be made under Extenuating Circumstances in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Non-COVID Practice-Based Offices—Medical Group We encourage patients to come alone to their appointment, whenever possible; otherwise, each patient is allowed two screened visitors age 18 and up (see Visitor Screening). Patients should refer to NorthShoreConnect or their automated reminder calls for specific directions: All visitors will be asked to wait outside of the practice to allow for proper physical distancing prior to patient appointments. Staff will notify visitors when patients have been “roomed” for their appointment. During the visit, visitors may be asked to relocate to comply with physical distancing. Visitors are required to wear mask at all times and follow all safety precautions. What are the rules for parents or guardians of minor age children (under age 18)? Two parents or legal guardians of a minor who pass our Visitor Screening and wear a mask at all times, will be allowed to enter the doctor’s office. Screened siblings and/or other minor-aged household members/relatives may be present for pediatric office visits. Masks must be worn at all times. If the parent or legal guardian fails the screening, staff will contact the child’s doctor to determine next steps. No visitors are allowed to wait in the practice prior to the appointment. Is it safe for visitors to wait in the office waiting area during an appointment? We ask all visitors to wear a mask and physically distance in the waiting rooms. In our physician offices, please arrange with the front desk if you prefer to wait in your vehicle. For most appointments, NorthShoreConnect patients can eCheck-in 48 hours prior to their appointment. If they have the NorthShoreConnect Mobile App on their smartphone and the “Appointment Arrival” notification turned on, we will know when they have arrived. This technology promotes a contactless check-in and arrival experience and/or greatly reduces the time needed at the front desk of the office. Exceptions to the visitor guidelines may be made under Extenuating Circumstances in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Inpatient Pediatric Patients Up to two screened parents or legal guardians are allowed to visit and remain with the child. Labor & Delivery/Post-Partum Patients Two visitors who pass the screening (see Visitor Screening Process) may visit. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the unit’s nursing staff and the patient’s physician. A doula may visit in addition to the partner/visitor and must remain in the hospital only for the duration of the patient’s stay in Labor & Delivery. Once the mother enters post-partum phase of care (2-4 hours after delivery), the doula must leave the hospital and may not return. Doulas are not permitted in the operating room but may rejoin the patient in Labor & Delivery to assist with breastfeeding after a C-section. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Infant Special Care Unit With the exception of extenuating circumstances, only mom and support person designated will be allowed to visit the newborn in the ISCU. Only one person will be allowed at the baby’s bedside at a time to ensure social distancing in the nursery rooms. Designated Support person will undergo Visitor Screening (see Visitor Screening Process). Adolescent Psychiatric Care Only the parent or guardian or one visitor who passes the screening (see Visitor Screening Process) may visit the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Highland Park Hospital for parent conference purposes. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Visitor Screening Process Upon arrival to the hospital or site of care, the visitor (18 years of age or older) will have their temperature taken and will be re-screened for new onset of any one of the following symptoms or exposures: Fever Cough Congestion Sore Throat Runny Nose Shortness of Breath Muscle Aches Decrease in sense of smell or taste Chills or shaking chills Headache Diarrhea, nausea, or other GI symptoms Personal diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 14 days Contact with a person quarantined or confirmed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days If the visitor has a temperature of 100 degrees F or greater OR responds yes to ANY one of the symptoms or exposures, they will not be allowed to enter the hospital. The visitor is required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times. They must also comply with all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and physical distancing requirements. Extenuating Circumstances: If an extenuating circumstance is identified (defined as an imminent surgery/procedure, terminal condition, significant change in status or condition, prolonged hospitalization of a week or greater, and very close to the end of life), an exception to the inpatient visitor policy may be made in consultation with the patient’s nursing and physician clinical team. The visitor will undergo the same symptom and temperature screening outlined for all visitors. Safety remains a priority. Two visitors would be allowed to visit the patient at the same time with length of visit to be determined by the care team. All other visitors will be directed to communicate with via I-Pad/text, etc. and must wait outside of the hospital. Clergy that visit under these circumstances are separate of the two visitor limit but must follow the visitor screening process. The visit would need to be approved and coordinated by the attending physician, primary nurse, and clinical nurse manager or nurse consultant. A staff member will work with the nursing consultant to arrange and coordinate the visitor process and the actual visit. This staff member will also provide the visitor an overview of the Visitor Process outlined below. Managing the Visit (COVID and non-COVID) Once the visitor arrives, the entrance screener will call the unit so the staff member can meet the visitor and complete the screening. The visitor and staff member arranging the visit arrive on the unit. Length of visits will be determined by the care team. For non-COVID-19 patient visits: the visitor will wear only the mask provided at the entrance. Staff will observe visitor removing their mask and supervise hand hygiene upon departure. For COVID-19 Positive or Person Under Investigation (PUI) patient visits: in addition to the mask provided at the entrance, the visitor must wear a gown, gloves, and eye protection (provided by the unit) to enter the patient room. For visits to Glenbrook Hospital ICU, ED, GAU or 4-North/South: The visitor must WAIT OUTSIDE the unit until a staff member is able to assist the visitor in donning appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Staff will continuously observe the visitor throughout the visit to prevent any unprotected contact and reduce the risk of transmission. Staff will observe the visitor removing their PPE and supervise hand hygiene on departure. Staff will arrange for an escort to accompany the visitor back to the hospital entrance. Law Enforcement seeking entry to the hospital related to a legal issue with a patient must liaise with Public Safety and have a negative screen result. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding: We understand these visitation restrictions may be difficult. We regret any hardship or inconvenience this may cause while you are in our care, but your safety and the safety of our visitors and staff remain our top priority. Thank you for making NorthShore your trusted health partner. HOSPITALS Evanston Hospital | 847.570.2000 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 Glenbrook Hospital | 847.657.5800 2100 Pfingsten Road, Glenview IL 60026 Highland Park Hospital | 847.432.8000 777 Park Avenue West, Highland Park, IL 60035 Northwest Community Hospital | 847.618.1000 800 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Skokie Hospital | 847.677.9600 9600 Gross Point Road, Skokie, IL 60076 Swedish Hospital | 773.878.8200 5140 N. 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