Visitor information

Frequently asked questions

What are the visiting hours and guidelines?
Visiting hours
Visiting hours on most medical and surgical units are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some units have more restrictive visiting privileges to assure that patients have sufficient recovery time. Check with the hospital’s Information Desk, 847-723-6100, about visiting hours for a particular unit.

Visiting guidelines

• Visitors may not smoke in patient rooms or anywhere in the hospital, except the designated outdoor smoking areas.
• Visitors should maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.
• Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.

What are the amenities and conveniences such as an ATM, cafeteria, gift shop and overnight stay?
Overnight accommodations for out-of-state visitors
For information on restaurants and hotels in the area, contact the hospital’s West Information Desk at 847-723-4672. Taxi and limousine service also is available by contacting this number.

To help family members who want to be close to hospitalized patients, a limited number of Patient Support Rooms (apartments located across from the hospital) are available. These comfortable, overnight accommodations are offered at reasonable prices to provide family members and loved ones an opportunity to relax. For more information or to make reservations, call 847-723-8720.

Gifts from home for patients
Visitors should check with the nurse before bringing gifts of food or drink to patients. In the intensive care areas, check with the unit whether gifts are appropriate for patients.

Information desks
Information desks are located in the main lobby, Parkside Center and east lobby of the hospital. Volunteers are available to help you find patient rooms or other locations in the hospital.

Maps—Maps of hospital’s first floor, ground floor, basement, 10th floor, Parkside Center first floor, campus and the Lutheran General/Park Ridge area are available near the hospital’s information desks and at the south building entrance.

Guest badges—To help increase campus security and safety for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital patients and visitors, the hospital has a guest badge program. Badges are distributed to all visitors at the entrances of the hospital and adjacent campus facilities. The color-coded badges are dated and marked with the hospital area to be visited. They are to be worn the entire time guests are on campus, and returned to one of the badge distribution points once visits are completed.

Smoking/cell phones—Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is committed to the health and well being of our patients and visitors. As of January 1, 2005, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital became a totally smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited on the entire campus including parking lots.

For the safety of our patients, cell and digital phones must be turned off upon entering the hospital. Pay phones are conveniently located near the hospital’s entrances on the first and ground floors and on each floor of the hospital.

Pagers—Pagers are loaned to family members in the surgical family waiting room, emergency department, pediatric intensive care unit and newborn intensive care unit. The pagers allow individuals to leave the waiting room and remain in contact with health care personnel from that area.

ATM—Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)—An ATM is conveniently located between the Public Safety Department and the Gift Shop on the first floor of the hospital. There is no ATM transaction fee for persons who currently have accounts and direct deposit with LaSalle Bank. Non-LaSalle ATM users pay a nominal transaction charge of $1.

Gift shop—The Service League Gift Shop offers numerous gifts and convenience items including telephone calling cards. Toiletries, magazines, clothing, gifts and stamps can be delivered to patients by calling ext. 6129. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 847-723-6129.

Online Flower Shop—Advocate Online Flower Shop can create and deliver unique, fresh or artificial, floral arrangements, as well as blooming and green plants to hospital patients and Advocate associates. Orders may be placed online 7 days a week, 24 hours a day but are reviewed and processed only during the retail shop's normal business hours. The retail shop, located at Lutheran General Hospital, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Our shop is closed on Sundays and major holidays. If you have any questions regarding hours, holidays observed, delivery times or any other information, please call (847) 723-8727 or e-mail AHC-FlowerShop@advocatehealth.com.

Chaplains—Mission and spiritual care staff chaplains are available for emotional and spiritual support and understanding 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To contact a chaplain, call 847-723-6395. In addition, a chaplain can be paged by calling the hospital operator.

Chapel—The A.D. Johnson Memorial Chapel is located on the first floor near the front east entrance of the hospital. It is open day and night for personal meditation and prayer. Regularly scheduled services include:

• Community prayer is offered at 8:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday
• Roman Catholic Masses are held at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. Sundays in Johnson Auditorium. Special holiday services also are scheduled throughout the year.
• A Muslim Jum’ah Prayer is held from 1:30-2 p.m. Fridays in the A.D. Johnson Chapel.

Recovery zone—This room on 10 West (next to the Top Deck cafeteria dining area) offers a variety of video and arcade games that can be played for a 25-to-50-cent fee.

SPIRIT program—If you would like to recognize a hospital staff member or team of associates for outstanding services, SPIRIT recognition forms are available. Compassion, equality, excellence, partnership and stewardship are qualities that are part of the hospital’s MVP (mission, values and philosophy). Ask the nurse or contact the Service League at 847-723-6105 for the forms.

Transportation services—Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s courtesy van service features wheelchair-accessible vehicles that transport patients from their home to the hospital, the Nesset Pavilion, Cancer Care Center, Patient Resource Center, the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Center and the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility. The service is offered from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to residents of Des Plaines, Glenview, Harwood Heights, Mt. Prospect, Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, Park Ridge, Rosemont, and some additional areas of northwestern Chicago (within zip codes 60630, 60631, 60634, 60641, 60646, 60648, 60666). For more information or to make reservations, call 1-800-440-0204. Due to heavy volumes, it is recommended that rides are reserved one week prior to the hospital appointment date. In addition, riders should be available for pick up 90 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. The fee is $5 each way for seniors ages 55 and older.

Taxi service—Park Ridge Taxi offers transportation services to patients and hospital visitors at special rates. To make a reservation, call 847-823-3111.

Public transportation—Call the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) for city or suburb information at 847-836-7000.

What other resources are available?
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Health Resource Center—The Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Health Resource Center is located on the second floor of the Yacktman Pavilion. It houses the Metrick Pediatric Library, which features a large collection of books, brochures, professional journals, audio and videotapes, two computer work stations, interactive CD-ROMs, pediatric advisor software, comprehensive resource lists, information on childhood diseases and a section of children’s recreational books. The center also has the Lekotek Center, which is a family play area and toy library for children with chronic illness disabilities and development delay.

The Emily Dorfman Education Center—The Emily Dorfman Education Center is an interactive learning area designed to help children and parents understand health needs and practice care skills. Bicycle and multi-sport helmets also are sold at this location. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and Saturdays by appointment only. Call 847-723-9484.

Cancer patient library—Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s Cancer Patient Library is located on the second floor of the Lutheran General Cancer Care Center, 1700 Luther Lane. The center has books, videos and online resources.

Women’s health resource center—The Women’s Health Resource Center of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital houses a comprehensive library of books, videos and audiotapes. It also offers reference materials, journals, a literature file, hundreds of brochures, Internet access and software programs about the latest findings in diagnosis and treatment for women and family health. The resource center is located on the first floor of the Yacktman Pavilion and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 847-723-8810.

HealthAdvisor—HealthAdvisor provides individuals with information about physicians on the medical staff of all eight Advocate hospitals, and details about programs, services and support groups. Call 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Job opportunity kiosks—AdvocateOnline computer-equipped kiosks that list all of the career opportunities at Lutheran General Hospital and other Advocate Health Care sites are located on the first floor near the hospital’s east and west lobbies, the Parkside Center and south building entrances, on the basement level near the east elevators, on the 10th floor by the west elevators, and in the Yacktman Pavilion lobby. Advocate is one of Chicago magazine’s ‘25 Best Places to Work’ and is repeatedly ranked among the nation’s top 10 integrated health care networks. The system has eight hospitals and more than 200 sites of care located throughout the Chicagoland area.

What are the dining and food service options?
West End Grille—Located near the hospital’s main lobby, this deli and sit-down restaurant features sandwiches, a variety of hot and cold foods and salads, and a number of self-serve stations. The grille is open 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Top Deck Cafeteria—Located on the 10th floor, main hospital, this cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open daily from 3 to 4:30 a.m.; 6 to 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; and 4:45 to 7:30 p.m.

Vending machines—Vending machines are located in the Top Deck Cafeteria, the Grainger Atrium, the emergency department, the second floor of the Yacktman Pavilion, and the ground floor of the Parkside Building.

Guest trays—Additional food trays can be ordered for a nominal fee for families visiting patients. The nursing unit can make the arrangements with the hospital’s Food and Nutrition Department. (Your insurance plan may not pay for these additional meals.)

Nearby dining choices—There are a number of fast food and sit-down restaurants located west and east of the hospital on Dempster Street.

How do I get to the hospital?
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is located 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and four miles north of O’Hare International Airport.

From the north, take the Tri-State Tollway I-294 south. Exit at Golf Road and travel east on Golf Road to Potter. Turn right on Potter and travel south to Dempster Street. Turn left on Dempster and travel east to the hospital.

From the south, take the Tri-State Tollway I-294 north. Exit at Dempster Street east. Travel one-half mile east on Dempster to the hospital.

From the east, take the Edens Expressway I-94 north. Exit at Dempster Street west. Continue west on Dempster to the hospital.

From the west, take the Northwest Tollway I-90 east to the Tri-State Tollway I-294 north. Exit at Dempster Street east. Travel one-half mile east on Dempster to the hospital.

The hospital’s main telephone number is 847-723-2210.

Where do I park?
Emergency department lot—Located south of the hospital’s emergency department (ED) adjacent to the back drive, this lot has 35 free parking spots reserved for emergency patients and ED visitors.

Front drive spaces—Twenty handicapped and six one-hour free parking spaces are available for patients and visitors in front of the hospital and the Yacktman Pavilion.

North Dempster surface parking—This 600-space lot, located at the northwest corner of Dempster Street and Luther Lane across from the hospital, is available to patients, visitors and hospital associates and is free of charge. A section of the lot is reserved for patients and visitors only. A shuttle bus service operates on the hospital campus every 10 to 15 minutes from the north parking lot to the main hospital.

North garage—Located across the street from the hospital at the northwest corner of Dempster Street and Luther Lane, this three-story, 1,120-space garage is for patients, visitors and hospital associates. Drivers pay a fee when they exit.

South garage—Located on the front drive across from the Parkside Center, this garage is for patients, visitors and handicapped hospital associates and volunteers. It offers 424 spaces, and users pay an hourly fee when they exit.

Yacktman Pavilion lot—This 55-space lot is located south of the Yacktman Pavilion, next to the hospital’s East Pavilion. Parking is for Yacktman patients and visitors only, and is free of charge. An attendant is on duty to operate the gates for this lot.

Nesset Center lot—Located in front of the Nesset Pavilion, 1775 Ballard Road, this 248-space lot is reserved for Nesset patients and associates. Parking is free of charge.

Reserved lot F—Located west of Luther Lane and north of the West Pavilion on Lutheran General’s campus, this lot is reserved for patients and visitors only. It contains 126 spaces and is free of charge.

Extended parking—For patients or families who will be in the hospital for more than two weeks, extended parking rates are available. Contact Public Safety at 847-723-5123 for information.

Valet parking—Valet parking is available on the hospital’s campus at the following locations:

• Main hospital—in front of the hospital from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This service is available to patients for a nominal charge.
• West pavilion—at the front entrance from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This service is offered to patients free of charge.
• Yacktman Pavilion—at the front entrance of the Yacktman Pavilion from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This service is free to patients with special needs by calling Guest Services at 847-723-5624.

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and facilities

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
1775 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-2210
Emergency Room
847-723-5154
www.advocatehealth.com/lutheran

Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
1675 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-KIDS (847-723-5437)
www.advocatehealth.com/lutherankids

Lutheran General Children’s Health Resource Center
1675 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-9484

Lutheran General Comprehensive Continence Center
1775 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-8014

Lutheran General Fitness Center
1875 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-6138

Lutheran General Hospital Breast Center
1675 W. Dempster St. (Yacktman Pavilion)
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-3100

Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center at
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
1875 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-5105

Women’s Health Resource Center of
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
1675 W. Dempster St. (Yacktman Pavilion)
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-8810
847-723-8885 (TTY for hearing impaired)

West Pavilion
1700 Luther Lane

• Lutheran General Cancer Care Center: 847-723-2500
• Lutheran General Behavioral Health Center: 847-723-6052 (addiction services), 847-723-8811 (behavioral health)

The Counseling Center of Lutheran General Hospital
1610 Luther Lane
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-518-1800

Advocate Lutheran General Patient Resource Center
8820 W. Dempster St.
Niles, IL 60714
847-723-8054

The Lutheran General Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Center
8816 W. Dempster St.
Niles, IL 60714
847-723-3008

The Adult Down Syndrome Center
1999 W. Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-318-2303

Advocate Medical Group’s Center for Complementary Medicine
The Nesset Pavilion (lower level)
1775 W. Ballard Road
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-318-2860

The Nesset Pavilion
1775 W. Ballard Road
Park Ridge, IL 60068

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital — Ground floor
Ambulatory and G.I. Reception
Ambulatory Surgery
Breast Center (Yacktman Pavilion)
Chapel
Comprehensive Continence Center
Emergency Department
G.I. Laboratory
Gift Shop
Health Advisor
Human Resources (East Pavilion)
Hyperbaric Treatment Center
Information Desks
Mission and Spiritual Care
Olson Auditorium
Patient Intake/Admitting
Public Safety
Pre-surgery Area
Surgical Family Waiting Room
West End Grille
Women’s Health Resource Center (Yacktman Pavilion)

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Ground Floor
Blood Drawing Lab
C.T./Ultrasound
Fluoroscopy
Heart Station/Vascular Lab
Nuclear Medicine
Osteoporosis Scanning Suite
Outpatient Laboratory
Outpatient Registration
Radiology Film Library (Patient Film Pick-up)
Radiation Oncology
Radiology/X-ray

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Basement
Cardiac Cath Lab
Cardiac Cath Lab Family Waiting Room
Sleep Clinic (Parkside Center)

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - 10th Floor
Top 10 Deck cafeteria
Special Functions Dining Room
The Recovery Zone

Parkside Center, First Floor
Information Desk
Flower Shop
Johnson Auditorium (ground floor)
Lutheran General Cardiac Rehabilitation Services
Lutheran General Fitness Center (ground floor)
Medical Offices

Who do I call with a complaint or concern?
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s goal is to achieve excellence in every aspect of a patient’s stay or a family member’s visit. If a patient, family member or visiting friend has a concern, the patient relations department will facilitate the inquiry and coordinate a resolution and appropriate response with the proper hospital staff. The patient relations department is located at the east end of the front lobby and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 847-723-6011.

If I have questions or concerns about paying my hospital bill, what should I do?
If you would like to discuss your bill, you should call a hospital financial counselor at the phone number on your billing statement. The financial counselor will review payment options that may be available to you. Such options include, applying for Illinois Medicaid, KidCare or Family Care programs, Illinois Crime Victims Fund, interest-free extended payment plans and charity care consideration. To help make the process easier to understand, Advocate can provide you a financial counselor who speaks your language.

For more information, please review our brochure, "Understanding Hospital Bills and Health Insurance Claims." Para más información por favor lea nuestro folleto "Entienda las facturas del hospital y la manera de hacer reclamos a su seguro médico."