Patients & Visitors
Current Visitor Guidelines
Northwest Health continues to prioritize the safety and health of our patients and staff during these ever-changing times. With the increase in COVID-19 cases in our communities, we have made changes to our visitor guidelines. Beginning July 26, 2021, patients may have one visitor in the hospital at a time. Visitation by minors under the age of 18 will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
It is imperative that everyone wears a mask and practices social distancing while in the facility.
- Visitation is 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily; patients may have one visitor.
- Visitation in the ICU is 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. daily; patients may have only one visitor.
- Visitation for patients receiving end-of-life care at the discretion of the physician.
- Visitation in OB will be 2 support person(s) for the duration of their stay.
- Visitation for NICU will be limited to 2 banded person(s), siblings allowed on a case by case basis.
- Visitation will be permitted for outpatient procedures and limited to 1 visitor per patient. Visitors will be allowed to wait in specified areas determined by each facility.
- Emergency room patients may be accompanied by one visitor. Visitors will be asked to wait in their vehicle or to social distance in the waiting room until the ER patient has been taken to a room. Laboring mothers fall under OB visitation. If an ER patient is admitted to the hospital, the visitor will be asked to leave and follow the hospital visitor guidelines during the patient’s hospital stay.
- No visitors will be allowed on the behavioral health unit.
- An attempt should be made to have all visitors remain in the patient room/designated area during the entire visit.
- Inpatient surgery may have one overnight guest per patient.
- The Gift Shop will remain open with limited capacity.
- The Cafeteria will remain open with limited seating; however, we ask that if possible please take your meal to the patient’s room.
Entrances and Visiting Hours
- Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville – Visitors and patients may use the front entrance, medical office building entrance or the emergency department entrance, which is the only entrance open 24/7.
- Northwest Medical Center - Springdale – Visitors may use one of the following entrances Monday thru Friday:
- North entrance: 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. including weekends.
- Jones Clinic: 5 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Outpatient entrance: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- The emergency department entrance is open 24/7 including weekends.
- Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital – On weekdays, visitors should use the main entrance from 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, the emergency department is the only entry point.
- Siloam Springs Regional Hospital – Visitors should use the main entrance at all times. The emergency department entrance is open 24/7.
- Willow Creek Women’s Hospital – Seven days a week, visitors should use the front entrance between 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., the emergency department will be the only entrance.
All visitors are asked to practice infection prevention.
- Sanitize hands when entering the hospital and when entering or exiting patient rooms.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with elbow or a tissue and dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Sanitize hands after coughing or sneezing.
People who have traveled to a high-risk area for COVID-19 or had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 are not permitted to visit patients. Visitors will be asked a short series of questions upon entrance to each of our five hospitals. Visitors with risk factors for COVID-19 and those who have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory illness will not be allowed to visit. During this time, the number of entrances into each hospital will be limited.
You may also call a patient’s room so they can hear your voice and you can hear how they are doing. The hospital has free Wi-Fi, so you may visit patients using Facetime or another video communication app.
Designated Hospital Zones
Our hospitals are now divided into three separate zones: Red, Yellow, and Green.
Green Zones are unrestricted areas. Patients in these areas have passed the screening at the hospital for COVID-19 symptoms.
Yellow Zones are limited access areas where suspected COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients could cross paths.
Red Zones are restricted areas meant for any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the hospital. These areas are isolated away from other patients.
Staff working in the COVID-19 care areas, if there are any so designated, will not cross over to Green Zone Patient Care Areas.
There is signage in place to clearly mark the entry to areas limited to designated staff.
We appreciate your understanding and compliance. With your help, we can maintain a safe environment for all our patients, visitors and staff.
Facts about coronavirus (COVID-19), how you can protect yourself, what to do if you are sick and more is at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health. The ADH has established a COVID-19 hotline to call if you or a person you know may have symptoms of the virus. The hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-632-4502
At Northwest Health, we understand that coming to the hospital as a patient or as a loved one's support person can be a difficult, often overwhelming experience. Whether you’re preparing for a hospital stay or stopping by to see friends and family, knowing where to go and what to bring will help make your visit less stressful. To make your experience easier, we want to provide you with helpful information you may need to plan your visit, such as what to expect, parking instructions, transportation and more.
Resources
Patient Education