Patients & Visitors
At Northwest Healthcare, we believe visitation from loved ones can positively impact patients. While the visitation policies may vary slightly by hospital or by individual unit, we generally have open visitation hours. A few items to note:
- Visitation policy may change based on conditions in the community, including flu or COVID activity.
- The choice to receive visitors belongs to the patient.
- There may be times when visitors are asked to leave to perform a medical procedure, to allow the patient to rest or to remove loud or disruptive behaviors.
- Loved ones should refrain from visiting if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
- Additional visitation restrictions may be placed in cases of infectious disease.
- Overnight visitation is discouraged to allow patients as much rest as possible. Overnight visitation may need approval by a director or supervisor, on a case-by-case request.
- Limitations may be placed on the number of visitors at one time in specific areas of the hospital due to space.
For specific visitation guidelines related to the facility and unit your loved one is staying in, please talk with the front desk or nurse.
Ask Staff Members to Clean Their Hands
We ask that all staff members clean their hands when entering and exiting a patient room. This should be standard practice, but don’t be afraid to remind them if they forget.
ICU Visitation Guidelines
Before visiting a patient in the ICU, please review the following information.
Gifts
Flowers, food and stuffed animals are not permitted in the ICU. Cards and photos are encouraged and a pin up board is available in each room for display. Please take all gifts, valuables and belongings home for safe keeping.
Privacy
We protect a patient's confidentiality and right to privacy. You can assist us with this by:
- Identifying a spokesperson for your family - Staff will only discuss patient-specific information with the spokesperson. All other family and friends will be directed to contact the spokesperson for updates on patient status.
- Using a code word - If the spokesperson will be calling in for updates on the patient's condition, please give your nurse a code word. This enables us to know we are releasing information to the correct person.
Request Medical Records
For information about requesting medical records for individuals who have received care at Northwest Healthcare visit this page.