Patients & Visitors
Outpatient COVID-19 Testing at Northwest Health - Porter
A physician's order is required for COVID-19 testing at Northwest Health - Porter. To find a Northwest Medical Group provider click here.
After the patient receives an order from their physician it will be sent electronically to Northwest Health - Porter (no paper orders). The patient then calls (219) 983-8399 to pre-register and schedule a time for the test. Tests may be scheduled between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Patients should not come to the hospital without first calling this number and scheduling a test time.
The COVID-19 testing is located outside the emergency room entrance at Northwest Health - Porter. Patients are instructed to pull their car near the RV at the emergency room entrance and remain in their car. Upon arrival, patients call (219) 983-5170 and a nurse will come to their car to perform the test.
The State of Indiana is offering COVID-19 testing to anyone who lives or works in Indiana. A physician's order is not required. Individuals without symptoms of COVID-19 can also be tested. To learn more about the State of Indiana's testing sites click here.
Current Visitor Guidelines
Visitor Restrictions effective July 1, 2020
These guidelines apply to non-COVID-19 patients only. COVID-19 patients may not have visitors.
- Outpatients and ER patients may have one visitor with them while at the facility.
- Hospitalized patients may have 1 visitor per day. Visitors may visit for a limited time, typically no more than 45 minutes.
- All visitors will be screened at entrance doors.
- All visitors must wear a mask at all times in the facility.
- The cafeteria is for employees only at this time. Patients and visitors may use the coffee shop on the 2nd floor at Northwest Health - Porter.
- The following may not visit patients at this time:
- Children under the age of 18
- Individuals who have:
- Traveled out of the country within the last 14 days
- Have a fever
- Have a respiratory illness
- Have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
Visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitors may use the main entrance to Northwest Health - Porter or the Emergency Department walk-in entrance. On weekends between 3:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m., visitors must use the Emergency Department entrance.
Universal Masking
We are following universal masking guidelines which means all who enter our facility are required to wear a mask. Those who arrive without a mask will be provided with one at the door.
COVID-19 Testing
Patients who have a physician's order for the COVID-19 test, please call (219) 983-5170 for instructions. Patients who are interested in getting tested should contact their physician's office for screening.
Urgent Care Locations
The four Northwest Health Urgent Care locations have reopened with the following hours. See our locations here.
Northwest Health Urgent Care - Valparaiso, 809 LaPorte Ave., Valparaiso, will be open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Northwest Health Urgent Care - Portage, 3630 WIllowcreek Ave, Portage, inside Northwest Health - Portage, will be open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Northwest Health Urgent Care - Hobart, 7890 East Ridge Road in Hobart opened on last week. Hours are Monday – Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The adjacent primary care office is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and welcomes walk-ins.
The Northwest Health Urgent Care - Chesterton location at 650 Dickinson Rd, Chesterton continues to be open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.
At Northwest Health - Porter, 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.
Patient Education
Avoiding Healthcare-Associated Infections