McLaren Northern Michigan
Patient And Visitor Information

Visiting Hours and Guidelines

Inpatient visiting hours for patients are daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. If the care team determines, due to the condition of the patient, it is best for a visitor to stay after visiting hours or enter prior to visiting hours, the visitor will be issued a wrist band, specifying the hospital unit and date.

While you are in the Hospital, your family and friends are welcome to visit you. A physician or nurse may ask you to limit the number of visitors you have because it takes energy to entertain, and your health and the health of others must be protected. Children under age 12 must be healthy and accompanied by an adult. Waiting rooms are offered within most departments to limit the number of visitors at a time within the patient’s room.

Prior to entry, all visitors will need to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms, and must wear a hospital-issued mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room. Visitors who are observed not wearing a mask, may be asked to leave.

Visitor guidelines are subject to change in order to meet health, safety, or other emergency needs. Any and all such changes will be clearly communicated to visitors at the Information Desk and be shared through McLaren Northern Michigan’s website and social media platforms.

Visitor Expectations

• Visitation: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily.
• Check In: All visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry and wear a hospital-issued mask (covering mouth and nose) throughout their visit. Hospital-issued mask may be worn over a personal mask.
• Children: Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Smoke-free Campus: Smoking and/or the use of any tobacco or marijuana product, including vapes, is not permitted anywhere in the hospital or on hospital grounds.
• Hand Hygiene: Please regularly practice proper hand hygiene upon entering and exiting patient rooms.
• Cellular Phones: Cellular equipment may interfere with hospital monitoring systems. Please refrain from cellular phone use in areas marked accordingly. The use of cameras and recording devices, including but not limited to, cell phone recording functions, is prohibited in patient care settings.

Exceptions to Inpatient Visitor Guidelines

COVID-19 Isolation Rooms

1 visitor (at a time) who has cohabitated with the patient prior to admission may visit during normal visiting hours with proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

Intensive Care Unit

Patients in ICU can receive visitors consistent with the visitation guidelines, with a few exceptions. Visitors are limited to two at a time. The unit is closed to visiting from 7 - 8:30 a.m. and 7 - 8:30 p.m., so nurses may give report on their patients. This also ensures patient confidentiality is maintained. Exceptions may occasionally be made in collaboration with the care team caring for the patient and the family as patient condition dictates.

Women & Children Care Center

24-hour support is allowed for patients during labor. Postpartum and pediatric patients may have 1 support person stay with them overnight. All others may visit during designated hospital visiting hours. Children under 12 years of age need to be approved by the patient’s care team and will be limited to siblings only. General visitation guidelines are also made in partnership with the patient/family to achieve a positive patient outcome.

Outpatient Unit Visitor Guidelines

Patients who have an appointment within the hospital or medical office building (such as office visit, lab draw, diagnostic imaging test or a procedure without anesthesia/sedation) may have a guest(s) accompany them. However, please note that some waiting rooms have limited seating and the patient may be the only one allowed in specific areas.

Emergency Department-Petoskey Campus (ED)

ER patients are allowed one visitor; two visitors for pediatric patients. If the patient is admitted to the hospital outside of visiting hours, the visitor may accompany the patient to the unit to get the patient settled and then leave. Visitor is not allowed to accompany the patient if patient is COVID positive.

Emergency Department- Cheboygan Campus (ED)

ER patients are allowed one visitor; two visitors for pediatric patients. Visitor is not allowed to accompany the patient if patient is COVID positive.

Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI)

Medical hematology/oncology, infusion center and radiation oncology patients are allowed one visitor; children under age 18 are not allowed.

Surgical and Endoscopy Services (Surgical Center)

Patients undergoing surgery or procedures that require sedation/anesthesia may have their visitors wait in the Surgical Waiting Room or Endoscopy Waiting Room. Visitors can participate in pre-procedural preparation and post-procedural discharge instructions in person. If the procedure is performed outside of visiting hours, the visitor may accompany the patient to the unit to get the patient settled and then leave.

Heart Center

Visitors are allowed to wait in the Heart Center Waiting Room while patient is having procedure performed. Staff will allow visitors, as appropriate, to visit patient in the pre/post procedure bays.

Fire Safety

We periodically conduct fire drills. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In the event of an actual emergency, hospital staff will notify you. The hospital has fire protection, and our employees are well-trained in safety procedures.

Electronic Device Use

As guests at McLaren Northern Michigan, we expect that all patients, visitors, and staff are treated in a respectful manner, while preserving the integrity and privacy of all patients. For this reason, the use of ALL cameras and recording devices, including but not limited to, cell phone recording functions, is prohibited in patient care settings.

Additionally, the use of mobile and electronic devices should be limited in patient care settings, and is prohibited in certain patient care settings if the use will interfere with medical equipment use. These areas will be marked accordingly to ensure patient safety and compliance.

McLaren Health Care | Safe Care