Valparaiso, IN – Our hospital continually works to be prepared for all types of infectious diseases such as measles, flu or new viruses like coronavirus (COVID-19). We are taking proactive steps to protect patients, our caregivers and the community, and monitoring ongoing COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We are using the screening guidelines for symptoms and risk factors and have a response plan to protect patients and our staff should it be needed. If a physician determines a patient meets the risk criteria, they will coordinate testing and the patient’s ultimate disposition in consultation with the Indiana State Department of Health. Our staff will obtain the appropriate specimens which will be sent to the appropriate State or commercial lab for testing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises: mildly ill patients should be encouraged to stay home and contact their healthcare provider by phone for guidance about clinical management. Patients who have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek care immediately. Older patients and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician early in the course of even mild illness.
Please also note that our visitor hours have been restricted to 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Additionally, only parents are allowed to visit in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where visitor hours remain 24/7. Visiting hours in our Intensive Care Unit are 10:00 a.m. – noon and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Further, the following visitor restrictions are now in effect:
- No one with respiratory illness symptoms or fever is allowed to visit,
- No one under the age of 18 is allowed to visit,
- No one who has travelled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days is allowed to visit, and
- Only two visitors are allowed at any one time,
Visitors will be screened upon entry.
The entrance to the Center for Cardiovascular Medicine will be closed,
please use the main hospital lobby entrance as an alternative.
Current information about COVID-19 is available at the Indiana State Department of Health website: https://www.in.gov/ishd/.
We understand the sensitivity at this time and want to reassure the community that we remain alert and ready to provide such care if necessary.
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Porter Health Care System includes Porter Regional Hospital, a referral center for Northwest Indiana. It also includes more than 20 outpatient sites located throughout the region. With more than 450 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter Regional Hospital is owned in part by physicians.