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Lurie Children’s Home Specialties & ConditionsHeart CenterRegenstein Cardiac Care Unit CCU Visitation Guidelines

CCU Visitation Guidelines

Because the health and safety of our patients, families, visitors and staff is of utmost importance to us and to prevent the spread of the virus causing COVID-19 illness, find more information about updated visitation restrictions here.

To provide the safest and highest quality of care to the patients in the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), the visitation guidelines for families and visitors are listed below. Please let your child’s nurse know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Visitation Hours

Please note that the CCU has unique guidelines. Please contact the charge nurse for possible exceptions. 

  • Parents and/or legal guardians may visit 24 hours a day
    • Up to two parents/legal guardians may stay overnight in the patient's room. A photo access card will be issued to you after your child has been admitted into a room on the CCU. You must bring a current photo ID to the 2nd or 11th floor concierge to obtain this access pass. This pass must be worn at all times while in the hospital. 
    • While two parents/legal guardians may sleep at the bedside, we can ask our social work team to help support you if you need longer term arrangements.
  • Regular visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  
    • Parents will be asked to provide a list of up to 10 approved visitors (including parents) and only visitors on that list will be allowed to visit. 
      • Because most patients stay in the hospital for about three to seven days, no changes to the original list will be made. This limits viral exposures. 
    • We ask anyone 18 and older who is entering the hospital for any reason, to show a photo ID. We may use your ID to check a variety of sources, including public registries that identify individuals who may pose a risk to children. We reserve the right to use this information to restrict access to hospital locations as appropriate.
    • Only three (3) visitors (including parents, guardians, surrogate decision-makers and siblings) are permitted at the bedside during regular visiting hours. 
    • Children under 16, other than siblings, are not allowed to visit. Teens under 18 are unable to stay overnight. 
      • Siblings under the age of 16 who are visiting the CCU or lounge must be supervised by an adult at all times and must leave the hospital by 8:30 p.m. 
      • Children under 12 are unable to visit if the patient is in isolation. Young children transmit infections more easily so we strongly recommend that children under 12 do not visit. 
      • A child life specialist is available for consultation regarding sibling visitation - please ask your child's nurse for more information. 
    • All visitors MUST be healthy. Visitors will be screened by our concierge for fever, sore throat, cough, running nose, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Visitors will be asked if they have been exposed to a communicable disease in the past month such as chicken pox, measles, tuberculosis (TB), mumps and whooping cough. Anyone who has been exposed to contagious diseases or who is ill (colds, fever, flu, etc.), is restricted from visiting the CCU. 
      • If a parent shows signs of illness, they should be discouraged from visiting until symptoms have resolved. If they choose to be at the bedside, they should take the necessary infection prevention and control measures. 

For any additional questions regarding visitation guidelines, please call the hospital's main line (312.227.4000) or the CCU care station (312.227.2200).

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are acceptable forms of identification:

  • State-issued driver's license
  • State-issued ID
  • Passport

If you do not have a photo ID, our Security Officers will assist in determining if you may visit and we can take your photo to provide you with photo identification during your visit.

No. Healthy siblings of all ages may visit during regular visiting hours 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

No. To limit the spread of viruses, no children other than siblings may visit unless they are 16 years or older.

Ask your child’s nurse before bringing in any food to your child because:

  • Your child may be on a special diet.
  • Your child may be scheduled for a test.

If your nurse says you may bring in food for your child:

  • Do not store leftovers. Food should be eaten or discarded.
  • Do not share food with other patients or staff.

  • Please tell your approved visitors that if they are sick or have been exposed to a communicable disease they will not be allowed to visit.
  • Wash your hands before you enter the patient’s room and as you leave.
  • We encourage parents who have symptoms of illness to stay home, but if you must be present:
    • Please wear a mask to cover nose and mouth
    • Wash your hands frequently
    • Remain in your child’s room
    • Do not go to public spaces within the hospital, such as the 11th floor cafeteria 
    • Tell your child’s nurse you are sick

Other Visitation Guidelines

  • Please remember to wash your hands every time you go in and out of the room.
  • Our family great room provides areas where you can eat comfortably.
    • There is a refrigerator in the family great room that you may put food in.
      • Please label with name, date, and time.
      • Please review storage guidelines posted on the refrigerator. If not followed, we must throw items away.
    • Please note that no one is allowed to sleep in the family great room.
  • For patients in isolation:
    • All visitors must follow the isolation standards on the isolation signs.
    • Please do not wear isolation gowns, masks or gloves in the hallway or any other place in the CCU except in the patient’s room.

Learn More About Lurie Children's Visitation Policies