NMC Commentary
02.17.2023

Screening and Visitation Changes at NMC

Northwestern Medical Center recently changed our process for screening patients and visitors for COVID-19. NMC joins other healthcare organizations around the state in removing the requirement to watch the current severity and prevalence of COVID-19 in our community. Instead, we are now using an approach where signage to reminds everyone of three key messages:  

  • Masks are still required to be worn 
  • Visitors should not enter our facility if they aren’t feeling well 
  • Patients who have symptoms of, exposure to, or a positive test for COVID-19 should let a registrar know 

NMC has also returned to normalized visitation process for our Progressive Care Unit. As always, clinical units may restrict visitation if space or other factors require it.  

Currently, NMC’s Emergency Department is limiting visitors to one per patient because of the very high patient volumes that are filling the physical space in the department. This is likely to continue for the duration of our ED Renovation project.  

NMC’s Family Birth Center has also put restrictions on visitation because of the surge in pediatric respiratory cases and the vulnerability of their patient population. The restrictions may change as the respiratory virus season goes on and so patients may want to check in with their obstetrician and/or with the FBC as admission time approaches.  

Please stay attentive to good hand hygiene, mask wearing and staying home when sick.