Visitors

Come on in.

We believe that having loved ones nearby lifts spirits, brightens moods and improves healing. However, there are a few things to consider when coming by to say hello.

Visiting Policy Updated March 1, 2023

At Heartland Regional Medical Center, we recognize the important role loved ones play in the healing process, and we are committed to providing a safe and healing environment. Beginning on March 1st, in accordance with the CDC and IDPH, visiting guidelines will be as follows:

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Visiting Hours

• Visitors for patients that are NOT suspected of COVID-19 or positive for COVID-19
  • Two visitors/support persons are allowed at one time.
  • Visitors must wear face coverings and practice good hand hygiene.
  • Visitors under the age of 16 will not be allowed to visit or wait in the waiting room.
  • ICU Visitor hours are from 10:00 am -1:30 pm and 3:00 pm -6:30 pm daily.

Medical Floor

• Visitors for patients that are NOT suspected of COVID-19 or positive for COVID-19
  • No more than two visitors per patient at one time.
  • Visitors must wear face coverings and practice good hand hygiene.
  • Visitors under the age of 16 will not be allowed to visit or wait in Third Floor Waiting Areas.
  • General Visiting Hours are 8:00 am – 7:00 pm daily.
  • When a patient is being admitted, one support person will be allowed to enter for one hour to assist with the admission process.

In-patient Visiting (ICU and Medical Floor) for COVID-19 positive patients

• Visitors for patients that are Suspected of COVID-19 or positive for COVID-19
  • Two visitors/support persons are allowed at one time.
  • Visitors must always wear appropriate personal protective equipment while visiting.
  • COVID-19 visiting times are 12:00 pm -1:00 pm and 5:00 pm -6:00 pm daily.
  • If visitors leave the room during the visiting hours, they will not be allowed back in the room until the next available time.
  • No food or drink is allowed in the room.
  • Visitors should only visit the patient’s room. They should minimize their time spent in other locations in the facility.
  • When a patient is being admitted, one support person will be allowed to enter for one hour to assist with the admission process.

Emergency Department

• Visitors for patients that are NOT suspected of COVID-19 or positive for COVID-19
  • One visitor/support person is allowed at one time.
  • Visitors must wear face coverings and practice good hand hygiene.
  • Visitors under the age of 16 will not be allowed.
  • No food or drink is allowed in the room.
• Visitors for Suspected or COVID-19 positive patients.
  • One visitor/support person is allowed at one time.
  • Visitors must always wear appropriate personal protective equipment while visiting.
  • Visitors are allowed for one hour during the Emergency Room stay.
  • Visitors should only visit the patient’s room. They should minimize their time spent in other locations in the facility.
  • No food or drink is allowed in the room.
  • If the patient is admitted and held in the Emergency Department, they will be allowed visitation the same as an in-patient. (See In-patient Visiting for COVID-19 positive patients)

Surgery Department

• No more than two visitors per patient at one time.
• Visitors must wear face coverings and practice good hand hygiene.
• Visitors under the age of 16 will not be allowed to visit or wait in the Surgery Waiting Area.

Visiting Someone with COVID-19

Visiting someone with COVID-19 puts you at higher risk for infection. It is safest to defer in-person visitation until 10 days after the patient’s symptoms started. Certain health conditions also put you at higher risk for infection. If you are immunocompromised, have certain medical conditions or are not vaccinated for COVID-19, you may consider alternate ways of visiting. If you are unsure if you should visit, please consult your healthcare provider to help you decide.

Examples of people who are high risk, but are not limited to:

• People aged 65 and older.
• People with cancer
• Organ transplant recipients
• Immunodeficiency syndromes
• People who take steroids regularly
• People who have HIV
• Asthma or chronic lung diseases
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• People who have diabetes
• People who are obese
• Pregnancy or recently pregnant

Before you enter the room:

• Please do not bring any unnecessary items with you.
• A staff member will instruct you to perform hand hygiene.
• You must use the hospital supplied personal protective equipment. This will be a face shield, N95 mask, gown, and gloves.
• A staff member will instruct you how to apply your personal protective equipment properly.

While in the room:

• No eating or drinking.
• You must leave your personal protective equipment on for the entire visit.
• Do not touch your face, mask, or face shield.
• If you leave the room before the end of visiting times, you will not be able to return until the next visiting time.

Before and after you leave the room:

• A staff member will instruct you on how to remove your personal protective equipment.
• A staff member will instruct you to perform hand hygiene.
• Please limit your movement inside the facility.
• Do not visit other patients in the facility.

After your visit monitor yourself for COVID-19

• Wear a mask when you are around people for the following 10 days.
• Watch for symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
• If you start to have any symptoms isolate and get tested as soon as possible.

Heartland Regional Medical Center will continue to adhere to infection control practices and social distancing when applicable for patient and healthcare worker safety and to promote wellness in our facility. We understand these rules can feel burdensome and inconvenient.

Our top priority is keeping our patients, visitors, and employees safe. We appreciate your compliance with these guidelines, and we look forward to welcoming you back into our building.