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
Parents of children ages 12 and older may call 847-618-0242 to schedule their child’s vaccine, or walk-in to the Vaccine Clinic next Monday, 5/17 or Wednesday, 5/19 for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Patients and community members ages 16 and older can schedule their vaccine in one of these four easy ways:
- If you have a MyChart account, login at nch.org/mychart and select a date and time to schedule your first vaccine dose.
- Make an appointment directly on our website here.
- Call 847-618-0242 to schedule an appointment or for more information about the Vaccine Clinic. If you have received your first dose elsewhere and want your second dose through NCH, please call the number to schedule an appointment.
- Walk-ins for first doses are accepted on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am – 7 pm. The NCH Vaccine Clinic is located at 3060 W. Salt Creek Lane in Arlington Heights.
Your safety and health are our number one priority. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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 temperature checked and 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, 10am–7pm
Critical Care Unit: Monday–Sunday, 9am–5pm
Up to 2 visitors can be designated (1 visitor per day).
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 receive a temperature check and 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.
- Visitors must wear a visitor badge at all times.
Infection Prevention Guidelines for Visitors
- After being approved and receiving a visitor badge, visitors should travel directly to the patient’s room and perform hand hygiene prior to entering the patient’s room and when leaving. Visitors must remain in authorized areas to accompany the patient and cannot visit the Oasis cafeteria or Jazzman’s café, with the exception of visitors that are staying overnight.
- Visitors cannot eat or drink while visiting the patient.
- Visitors must wear a mask covering nose and mouth for the entirety of their stay. Patients should also wear a mask while the visitor(s) are 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 and Critical Care Units
- 1 designated visitor per day for a maximum of 2 hours.
- Upon admission, patients will provide the names of up to 2 designated visitors. Only one designated visitor will be allowed per day.
- Visitor of patient that had surgery can stay for an additional 2 hours after patient has arrived back into the inpatient room.
Pediatric Emergency / Pediatric Unit / NICU
- Up to 2 parents/guardian with the patient for the duration of the stay.
Mother Baby
- One visitor per day, 18 years and older (2 hours maximum) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. plus one partner for the entire stay.
Labor & Delivery/Obstetrics
- 1 visitor/partner for the duration of the stay.
- 1 doula (must be the same doula) for the duration of birth parent’s stay.
Emergency Department
- 1 support person with the patient. Visitor may not wait in the waiting areas due to limited ability of social distancing.
Surgery in Main Hospital or Day Surgery Center
- 1 visitor until patient is taken into surgical prep (SPA), provided social distancing can be accomplished.
- 1 visitor when patient is in recovery and preparing for discharge (PACU).
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
- 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.