Visitors Welcome!

Visitors can be a great form of medicine and are always welcome at SCK Health.

Patients have the right to choose who visits them. The hospital does not restrict visitation based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or relationship status. Please keep in mind that patients need rest and patient care is our primary concern. Occasionally visitation is limited for the safety of patients and/or visitors. Examples of these situations include increased need for infection prevention (see below), risk for radiation exposure, or high potential for interference during procedures.

Guidelines for Visitors

In order to enhance the quality of care, specific visiting hours and rules have been established:

  • Clothing – Proper attire is required, including shirt or blouse, pants or skirt, and footwear, or equivalent clothing.
  • Emergency Room – For your safety and security there are times when visitors will not be allowed in the ER. Visitors may be asked to leave at any time.
  • MedSurg / Swing Bed – Visitors are generally limited to two people selected by the patient. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, including in the lobby. Children age 6 and under may visit with approval of a nurse or physician.
  • Intensive Care Unit – Limited to two visitors once an hour selected by the patient. Times and frequency may vary with the patient’s condition and the number of patients in the ICU. The ICU is a closed unit, so please ask the staff at the MedSurg counter. Any exceptions to the visiting policy will be at the nurse’s discretion.
  • Family Birthing Center –  Visitors to the Family Birthing Center are welcome to come and greet the newest addition. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, including in the lobby. Children age 6 and under may visit with approval of a nurse or physician. Two visitors are allowed in the OB unit outside of the birthing partner. 
  • Patient Requests – Occasionally patients will request that they not have visitors so they may rest. In this situation a nurse will inform the patient of any visitors and relay messages. Please respect the patient’s request.
  • Staff Requests – Physicians or other clinical staff may ask visitors to leave the room while they work with a patient. This is to ensure the patient’s privacy and the safety of everyone.

Infection Prevention

Generally, visitors should be free from symptoms of communicable diseases such as colds, flu, and skin infections. Examples of these symptoms include cough, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and draining skin lesions. Children who have been exposed to a communicable disease or who are obviously ill are not permitted on the nursing units. Good hand washing is important for visitors as well as staff. Visitors may be asked to leave at any time at the medical or nursing staff’s discretion.

Tobacco Use

SCK Health is a tobacco-free facility. Use of tobacco products is prohibited in any building or on property owned or operated by SCK Health.

Food, Flowers, and Gifts for Patients

Visitors should check at the nurses station before bringing flowers, gifts, food, or drink to patients. Many patients have food restrictions or allergies.

Patient Conference Room & Chapel

The hospital has rooms specifically designed and furnished for patient and family privacy located inside the surgery waiting area in the MedSurg unit. There is also an interfaith chapel located in the MedSurg unit, near ICU. Patients may use the rooms at any time to converse with a physician, meditate, meet with a member of the clergy, grieve, meet family or friends, or just get away from the medical environment for a while. Please let the nursing staff know where you will be. If the room is busy or access is a problem, contact the nursing staff for assistance with making other arrangements.

Waiting Areas

Specific waiting areas have been designated for families of patients in the Main Lobby, ER, Lab and outpatient departments. 

Mail/Newspapers

Letters and packages for patients are delivered each morning by volunteers. Letters and parcels that arrive after you have been discharged are forwarded to your home.. Outgoing mail may be left at the nurses station.

For the Hearing Impaired

A telecommunications device is available to help hearing impaired patients or patients who want to communicate with a hearing impaired relative or friend.

Language Interpreters

The hospital appreciates any assistance that family members can provide in communicating with patients and other family members. The hospital has access to interpreters for several foreign languages should a patient require it.

Wireless Internet Access

Patients and guests can access the Internet in select locations of the main hospital building. Connect to SCK Health Guest Internet in patient rooms and the waiting areas of the Main Lobby, Surgery, Ambulatory Care, and OSB.