Visiting Hours & Policies

Visitors are encouraged at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital because we believe family and friends play an important role in helping patients recover. The following information will help familiarize you with hospital services and policies in order to best plan your visit.  To contact a Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital patient, please call (847) 234-5600.  We look forward to seeing you!

Visiting Hours

• General visiting hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. 
• Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. 
• A maximum of two visitors per patient are allowed at one time.

Please review the following list for exceptions to our general visiting policies.  If you arrive when the patient is receiving medical care, you may be asked to wait outside the patient's room for a few minutes for patient privacy.

MATERNITY SERVICES
Spouses or other designated special guests have open visiting hours. Grandparents and siblings of the baby may visit from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.  Children (other than siblings) under 12 are not permitted on the floor.

PEDIATRICS
Parents have open visiting hours. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

ICCU
Family members have open visiting hours.

EXTENDED CARE FACILITY (ECF)
Open visiting hours. 

WESTMORELAND NURSING CENTER
Open visiting hours.

Additional Policies

CELLULAR & CAMERA PHONE POLICY
To ensure patient safety, the hospital has instituted a cellular phone policy. Cell phones may be used in most areas of the hospital, such as lobbies, public waiting rooms, cafeteria and coffee shop. Cell phones are prohibited, however, in ICU, Telemetry, Labor and Delivery and certain other patient-care areas. Please look for any signs restricting use.

To ensure and protect privacy, camera phones may only be used for voice calls, and the camera feature may not be used anywhere in the hospital.  If you have any questions, please ask a staff member, or call the operator by dialing “0” from any hospital phone.

CHILDREN VISITORS
All children under 12 years of age must be in the company and under the supervision of a responsible adult (other than the patient). Our medical staff may determine at any time that children cannot visit, depending on the patient’s situation. Children visitors must be free from illness and avoid contact with ill persons.

SMOKE-FREE INSTITUTION
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital is a smoke-free organization.  Cigarettes and smoking materials are not sold at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital or any of its affiliated locations and smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on our campuses. We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.