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
The CDC has recently announced recommendations regarding a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine. Click the categories below to learn more:
Third Dose for Immunocompromised patients
The CDC recommends that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine at least 28 days after the completion of the first two doses.
At this time, NCH is offering third doses ONLY to immunocompromised patients, effective Tuesday, August 24. Patients who qualify should call the NCH Vaccine Hotline at 847-618-0242 to schedule an appointment.
While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3% of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. The data shows they may benefit from receiving an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine to develop as much protection as possible against COVID-19.
Immunocompromised patients can be or have:
- In active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
- In receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
- In receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- In active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
This action by the FDA and CDC does not apply to people who are not immunocompromised or to those who have received the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
While the vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue to follow current preventive measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
Third Dose for All Individuals 12 Years and Older
The FDA has recommended a plan to begin offering third dose shots all individuals 12 years and older to begin later this fall. The third dose is recommended starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. NCH is developing a plan to administer third dose shots to physicians, staff, and the community and more information will be provided when available.
NCH is vaccinating ages 12 and older at our Immediate Care Center locations in Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Kildeer, Mount Prospect and on the campus of Harper College in Palatine. Please make an appointment using one of the three methods below. Please note that children and teenagers under 18 must have a parent present at the time of vaccination.
- If you have a MyChart account, login at nch.org/mychart and select a date, time and location to schedule your first vaccine dose.
- Make an appointment directly on our website here.
- Call 847-618-0242 to schedule an appointment at your nearest ICC. If you have received your first dose elsewhere and want your second dose through NCH, please call the number to schedule an appointment.
We also offer vaccination to our homebound patients and to community groups. Our goal is to vaccinate every member of our community who wants the vaccine. Please call 847-618-0242 to discuss how we can help you get vaccinated.
Stay safe.
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.
Screening
All patients and visitors will be asked screening questions upon entering the hospital and outpatient care centers.
COVID-19 Testing
Patients scheduled to undergo certain elective procedures may require a COVID-19 negative test per IDPH requirements. If indicated, those patients will be informed at the time of scheduling and the test will be performed within three days of the procedure. Those patients will be directed where to go for their test upon scheduling and after the test will be required to self-isolate at home until the procedure.
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.
Visitors
The health and safety of our patients is our top priority. We value the support family and friends give to our patients and appreciate your partnership in ensuring we work to keep everyone safe while reducing the spread of COVID-19. Please review the below limited visitor guidelines for each department.
General Visiting Hours
Our general visiting hours (for approved visitors) are:
Inpatient Units: Monday–Sunday, 8:30am–7pm
Up to 1 visitor at a time.
Critical Care Unit: Monday–Sunday, 8:30am–5pm
Up to 1 visitor at a time.
Visitor guidelines differ throughout the hospital depending on the department. Please look further below for policies relating to our specific visitation areas.
Visitor Guidelines
- All visitors must be 18 years or older.
- Visitors may be asked to present a form of identification, as necessary.
- All visitors should enter at the Main Entrance (#4)
- Visitors will be asked health screening questions upon entering the building.
- Visitors must be wearing a mask covering their nose and mouth for the entirety of their stay, regardless of vaccination status.
- Visitors must wear a visitor badge at all times.
Visitors may swap out, but we prefer not to have people in the waiting rooms due to social distancing. Food and drinks are not allowed in waiting areas, but visitors may visit Jazzman’s Cafe or our Oaisis cafeteria.
Visitor guidelines differ throughout the hospital depending on the department. Please look further below for policies relating to our specific visitation areas.
Infection Prevention Guidelines for Visitors
- After being approved and receiving a visitor badge, visitors should perform hand hygiene prior to entering the patient’s room and when leaving.
- If the patient leaves their room or is transferred to another department, visitors should follow the policies of the new department, as guidelines may differ throughout the hospital.
- Visitors cannot eat or drink while visiting the patient. Dining areas are available at the Oasis Cafeteria or Jazzman’s Café and Bakery.
- Visitors must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth for the entirety of their stay, regardless of vaccination status. Patients should also wear a mask while the visitor is in the room.
- If a visitor needs assistance while in a patient room, visitor should use the patient call button for assistance.
Adult Inpatient & Observation Units
- Up to 1 visitor at a time
Critical Care Units
- Up to 1 visitor at a time
Pediatric Emergency / Pediatric Unit / NICU
- Up to 2 parents/guardians with the patient
Mother Baby
- Up to 1 visitor per day and 1 visitor/partner for the entire stay
- Visitors must be 18 years and older
Labor & Delivery/Obstetrics
- Up to 1 visitor/partner for the duration of the stay and
- 1 doula (must be the same doula) for the duration of the birth parent’s stay
Emergency Department
- 1 support person with the patient. Visitors may not wait in the waiting areas due to limited ability of social distancing.
Surgery in Main Hospital or Day Surgery Center/GI Center
- 1 visitor in registration and surgical prep area (SPA) / Pre-op, provided social distancing can be accomplished.
- 1 visitor when patient is in recovery and preparing for outpatient discharge (PACU II).
- Waiting room is open with limited capacity due to social distancing.
Outpatient Centers & Services
Outpatient Centers & Services include immediate care centers, medical offices, radiation oncology, and other outpatient testing areas.
- 1 support person, provided social distancing can be accomplished.
- Individual outpatient departments may have different restrictions.
Exceptions
Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the care team.
- For critically ill/end-of-life patients—the number of visitors will be managed by the care team.
- Life altering diagnosis (i.e. cancer) or for high risk procedures.
- Pediatrics/Labor and Delivery/Mother Baby/NICU
- Essential caregiver support and Power of Attorney (POA’s) for procedures and services—to be approved by the care team.
Please note:
- Visitors will not be permitted to visit with COVID-19 patients or patients under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 until their isolation has been lifted or if the patient meets the visitor exceptions.
- Behavioral health visitor guidelines may differ and are at the discretion of that department.
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
- 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.
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.