Patients & Visitors
Current Visitor Guidelines
Northwest Health continues to prioritize the safety and health of our patients and staff during these ever-changing times. We have made the following changes to our visitor guidelines.
Beginning February 22, 2022, Non-COVID patients may have two visitors at a time in the hospital.
Effective March 24, 2022, visitor policy has been expanded for maternity/OB patients.
All visitors are asked to practice infection prevention, wear a mask and must pass entrance screening.
- Visitation is 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily; patients may have two visitors at a time.
- Visitation in the ICU is 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. daily; patients may have one visitor at a time.
- Visitation for patients receiving end-of-life care at the discretion of the physician.
- Maternity/OB visitors, family and children are welcome and encouraged to visit at any time.
- Visitation in maternity/OB is limited to 2 visitors at a time during active labor.
- Maternity/OB visitors should remain in the patients’ room, waiting room, cafeteria or other common areas. Masks in rooms are optional but recommended. Masks are required when outside of the room.
- Visitation for NICU is limited to banded caregivers; short visits from other adult family members may be permitted by the NICU team on a case-by-case basis. Children are not allowed to visit the NICU while COVID, flu or RSV restrictions are in effect.
- Visitation will be permitted for outpatient procedures and limited to two visitors per patient at a time. Visitors will be allowed to wait in specified areas determined by each facility.
- Emergency room patients may be accompanied by two visitors at a time. 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.
- Patients may have one overnight guest per patient with the exception of ICU patients. No overnight guests will be allowed for ICU patients.
- 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.
- 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 one of the following entrances Monday thru Friday:
- Front entrance: 5:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Medical office building entrance: 5:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. *Note: This entrance is limited to clinic, wound care and outpatient surgery only.
- The emergency department entrance is open 24/7 including weekends.
- Northwest Medical Center - Springdale – Visitors may use one of the following entrances Monday thru Friday:
- (Beginning 2/28) Main entrance: 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. including weekends
- 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 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., the emergency department will be the only entrance.
All visitors are asked to practice infection prevention, wear a mask and must pass entrance screening.
- Sanitize hands when entering the hospital and when entering or exiting patient rooms.
- Wear a mask at all times when in the hospital.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with elbow or tissue and dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Sanitize hands after coughing or sneezing.
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