Welcome back
We have resumed elective procedures, services and appointments following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health authorities, using the best practices for hygiene, infection control and social distancing. Our hospital, emergency department and outpatient and immediate care centers are fully prepared and ready to safely welcome you back to get the care you need. Don’t wait to be well.
Join us in this charge
The health and safety of our patients and those who serve them is our highest priority. NCH and our caregivers are responding to this unprecedented pandemic with unwavering dedication. We need your support.
Vaccine
NCH is in the process of vaccinating patients aged 65+. Appointment availability may vary based on vaccine inventory. NCH will continue to use NCH MyChart to notify eligible patients when we have the vaccine available. Please ensure your Communication Preferences are up to date under Account Settings in your MyChart account.
To ensure you are prepared for vaccination distribution view the appropriate information below.
I’m a patient age 65 or older
NCH is communicating directly with our current patients 65 and older through email with steps to prepare to receive the vaccine as we get doses from the appropriate local public health agencies.
- If you are a current patient and at least 65 years old, we will be scheduling vaccine appointments via MyChart. Please be sure you have activated your MyChart, updated communication preferences with email and cell phone and have enabled notifications to ensure you are prepared.
- If you cannot sign up for MyChart or you do not have an email, you may provide your information and we will contact you when we are able to expand our vaccination program.
I’m an essential worker
At this time NCH is only preparing to vaccinate individuals 65 and older along with health care workers in the existing 1a group. Frontline essential workers (in Phase 1b) can receive vaccine access information by contacting their local public health agencies:
- Lake County Health Department or 847-377-8000
- Cook County Department of Public Health or 708-836-4755
- Chicago Department of Public Health or 3-1-1 or 312-746-4835
I’m a patient under the age 65
The State of Illinois is now in COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1b for residents age 65 and older, and frontline essential workers. Residents under the age of 65 will be part of the next cohort group in Phase 1c.
Safety
Medical Services Open, Appointments Available
We are performing elective procedures and offering services in strict adherence to guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. All of our facilities utilize infection control practices and evidence-based protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IDPH and the Cook County Public Health Department to keep all patients, visitors and staff safe.
Please know all hospitalized COVID-19 patients are on units designated only for COVID-19 patients. The dedicated, specially trained clinicians on those units are not caring for patients in other areas of the hospital.
If you have a health need that you have been waiting to address, please call your provider’s office directly to learn more about the availability of appointments and services. NCH Medical Group is offering virtual visits or can see you in-person for regular appointments.
We are here for you and your family and encourage you to maintain your health through regular appointments and screenings.
Restrictions
The following visitor restrictions have been put into place until further notice:
Visitors will not be permitted at any of our facilities, with the following exceptions:
- For critically ill/end-of-life patients—the number of visitors will be managed by the care team.
- Our pediatric population may have one visitor. Our NICU population may have two parent visitors. While in Labor and Delivery, patients can have one partner and one doula, if needed. Patients in the Mother Baby Unit may have one partner.
- Essential caregiver support and Power of Attorney (POA’s) for procedures and services—to be approved by the care team.
Visitors transporting patients to and from their appointments are asked to wait in their cars. Staff will communicate with the patient’s companion via a call or text during the procedure and to notify them when to pick up the patient.
Patient Personal Belongings
- Visitors can drop off personal and comfort items (i.e. books, letters, pictures, basic toiletries, clothing for discharge, flowers) to the patient.
- All items should be brought in a clean bag to the Main Entrance #4 during entrance hours. You will need to receive a screening when entering the building.
- We are not able to accept valuables, linens, pillows and other bulky items.
- All food must be restaurant or store purchased meals that are individually packaged for single meal servings. We cannot accept home cooked food.
E-Greeting Cards
Family and friends can send their loved one a free e-cheer card!
Gift Shop
Family and friends can purchase items over the phone from our Gift Shop which will be delivered to your loved one. We have lots of options including flowers, candies, and beautiful seasonal water lanterns. Visit our Gift Shop page.
Screening
All patients and visitors will be temperature checked and asked screening questions upon entering the hospital and outpatient care centers.
COVID-19 Testing
Patients that are scheduled to undergo certain elective procedures in an operational or procedure area may require a COVID-19 negative test per the requirements from the IDPH. If indicated, you will be informed at the time of scheduling and it will need to be performed within three days of your procedure. Those patients will be directed on where to go for their test upon scheduling. After the test, you will be required to self-isolate at home until the time of your procedure.
Hospital Entrance Hours:
- Main Entrance #4 – Weekdays: 7:00 am–8:00 pm, Weekends: 8:00 am–8:00 pm
- North Entrance #2 – Closed
- Busse Entrance #1 – Weekdays: 5:00 am–8:00 pm, Weekends: 5:30 am–5:00 pm
- Valet parking is temporarily unavailable
Please use the Emergency Entrance after hours.
Universal Masking Requirement
To keep our employees, patients and community safe, we have implemented universal masking on the hospital campus and all outpatient care centers until further notice.
All are required to wear a mask when entering the hospital and outpatient care facilities and throughout their stay.
Closures
In the interest of public safety, we have temporarily closed or suspended the following:
- The offices of the Medical Group at 500 N. Hicks Road in Palatine
- Kids Club at the NCH Wellness Center remains closed. The Wellness Center facility is now open with restrictions. The Wellness Center also offers virtual training sessions on its Facebook page and NCHFit @ Home, a virtual exercise program.
- Cardiac Rehab Phase II programs are now open. Pulmonary Rehab and Phase III/maintenance programs remain closed.
- All student clinical rotations
- NCH’s Volunteer Program is currently not processing any new volunteer applications.
- All Labor and Delivery tours
- Many classes and support groups.
- Cancer classes and support groups are being held virtually.
- All Heartsaver, Healthcare Provider, ACLS and PALS education courses; if an AHA certification is due to expire between now and the dates that courses can be reinstated, a 60-day extension will be granted. For CPR, extensions have been given until September 30. All courses have now been transitioned to a 2 part online format with short in-person skills testing sessions.
- NCH Wig Boutique
Telehealth
To minimize unnecessary exposure—and follow the guidelines of social distancing—most existing appointments with NCH Medical Group providers can be converted to virtual visits. We encourage you to call your provider’s office to schedule a virtual visit, if appropriate, instead of an in-person visit.
Resources
This section provides links to information on various sites regarding COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the coronavirus. For any questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email: DPH.sick@illinois.gov.
CDC Pages
Billing
Please note that at this time there is no standardization for how insurance companies pay for COVID-19 testing.
Some insurance plans will cover this testing at 100 percent while others may not. This may impact your billing if you have been tested for COVID-19. If you have been tested and receive a bill from NCH, we recommend that you please contact your insurance company to inquire if your benefits should cover this test as soon as you receive an explanation of benefits from your insurance plan. Thank you for your patience as we work through the many challenges we are all experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.