Visitor Information
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Northside Hospital visiting guidelines are in place to protect the privacy of patients, and to provide a restful, healing environment while allowing patients the comfort of welcomed visitors.
The nurse responsible for each patient's care reserves the right to limit visitation based on the needs of that patient, their roommate and other patients on the unit. Visitors who are not compliant with rules, are loud or disruptive, or disturb the privacy and rest of patients will be asked to leave.
Patients have the absolute right to limit or decline visitors.
Any individual, child or adult, who has symptoms of, or has been exposed to, a communicable illness or infection should not visit hospital patients. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, rash, diarrhea, or vomiting within the past 24 hours.
Visiting Hours
Critical Care Areas (CVICU, CCU, ICU)
Visiting Hours are open 24hrs, 7 days a week.
Limit 2 visitors per patient at a time
Non-Critical Care Areas
Visiting Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Limit 2 visitors per patient at a time
Visitation is not permitted during change of shift (6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.), unless specifically requested by the patient.
Children between the ages of 5 years and 14 years must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Children under 5 years of age may be granted visiting privileges under special conditions.
Visitors are asked not to bring flowers into the Critical Care Areas. Visitors are asked to check with a nurse before bringing food, beverages, medications or electrical appliances to patients.
Direct telephone calls to patient rooms are available from 7:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m. Calls outside that time will be forwarded to the appropriate nursing department and can be forwarded to the patient room as necessary.
After Hours Visiting
After 7:30 p.m. all access to the facility will be locked down with the exception of the Emergency department entrance. Authorized visitors may enter the facility through the Emergency Department entrance. After 10:00 p.m., the nursing supervisor or designee will notify the Security Department of any visitors allowed to include the patient name and visitor’s name.
Waiting Room Areas
Waiting room areas are available to patients, family and visitors. People using these areas will be expected to maintain appropriate behavior and tone. Disrespectful or unruly behavior will not be tolerated and visitors may be asked to leave.
Emergency Department Waiting
The Emergency Department waiting area is for patients and families to wait for emergency treatment. After 7:00 p.m. this area also serves as the hospital main entrance and exit to the east parking lot.
Surgery/Critical Care Waiting
Volunteers and staff will check with the visitors in the Surgery/Critical Care waiting room at periodic intervals to keep visitors informed of the patient progress through surgery or to answer any questions regarding the patient condition. Patient families will be directed or escorted when necessary to the waiting room. The volunteer will notify the surgery staff when family is present in the waiting are. Visitors will be requested to stay in the waiting room as much as possible.
Visitors to the Critical Care Areas will use the courtesy phone located outside the doors of the critical care units to request access in to the unit.
Gift Shop
The Northside Hospital Gift Shop, located off the main lobby, is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Items for purchase include a variety of gifts, flowers, toys, snacks, toiletries, collectibles and greeting cards. The Gift Shop is operated by the Northside Hospital volunteer program, and proceeds benefit the volunteers and their charitable contributions.
Cafeteria Hours
Visitors are welcome to eat in the hospital cafeteria, located on the 1st floor near the main hallway of the hospital. The cafeteria is open daily during the following times:
Breakfast:
Monday - Friday from 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch:
11:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday from:
7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
11:00 - 1:30 p.m.
The cafeteria extension is 4267.
Out-of-Town Visitors
For your convenience, we have created a Visitor Information document (PDF - 244KB) 
, containing directions, area accommodations and visiting hour information.