Patients & Visitors
Current Visitor Guidance
Keeping everyone safe and healthy remains our top priority. The following visitor restrictions are effective starting on Friday, April 2.
In all locations:
- Face masks are required at all times.
- Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to enter unless they are seeking medical care.
- All visitors are asked to practice social distancing, hand hygiene and 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.
Hospitals
- One visitor: Only one visitor at a time, per patient.
- Visiting Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
- Inpatient visitors: Go directly to the patient room.
Exceptions:
- Emergency Department: One person per patient (no visiting hour restrictions). Both parents/guardians are permitted for pediatric patients.
- Labor & Delivery: Two adult visitors per patient at a time (no visiting hour restrictions).
- Outpatient procedures/surgery: One person may accompany each patient (no visiting hour restrictions).
- Radiology and other Outpatient Diagnostics: One person may accompany each patient (no visiting hour restrictions).
- Pediatrics and NICU: Two parents/guardians may visit pediatric patients (no visiting hour restrictions).
- Compassionate care/end-of-life situations: Please speak with a member of the care team as two visitors at a time may be arranged (no visiting hour restrictions).
No visitors permitted:
No visitors for COVID-19 patients or for patients awaiting COVID-19 test results.
Urgent Care and Northwest Medical Group Locations
One visitor may accompany each patient. Two parents/guardians may accompany children (there is no longer an age restriction for visitors).
We remain diligent in our fight against COVID-19. Your efforts to fight against this virus have helped make it safe for visitors to begin coming back into our organization.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The best source of information about vaccine availability in our community is the Indiana State Department of Health. To sign up for a vaccination at Northwest Health - Porter or another location and to find out if you qualify for the vaccination click here.
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.
Patients also have the option at being tested at our Urgent Care locations in Valparaiso or Chesterton. Physician orders are required. Call ahead to schedule a testing time. To schedule at the Valparaiso Urgent Care call (219) 263-4977 and to schedule a test at the Chesterton Urgent Care call (219) 983-8230. Our Chesterton Urgent Care is open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Sunday. The Valparaiso Urgent Care is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on weekends.
All three Urgent Cares, Portage, Chesterton, and Valparaiso, test patients who visit the urgent care with COVID-19 symptoms.
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.
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.
COVID-19 Vaccine
The best source of information about vaccine availability and eligibility in our community is the Indiana State Department of Health. The state of Indiana has designated Northwest Health - Porter as a vaccination site. To sign up for a vaccination or to find out if you qualify for a vaccination click here.
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