Coronavirus: Silver Cross Hospital Accepting Supply Donations

NEW LENOX, IL — Due to the new coronavirus, many hospitals are facing shortages of supplies or personal protective equipment for medical workers. In New Lenox, Silver Cross Hospital is accepting several supplies which community members can donate.

The hospital is accepting donations of: N95 and surgical procedure masks, Nitrile procedure gloves, hand sanitizer, grocery, gas or restaurant gift cards for employees, and bleach wipes. If you'd like to donate any items, call the Silver Cross Foundation at 815-300-7105.

Silver Cross confirmed on March 18 that it was treating a woman who had tested positive for the coronavirus. In recent days, local fire departments and emergency services have set up tents in the parking lot of the hospital; the tents include portable heat, electric and lighting.

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Silver Cross Hospital has also restricted visitation in the hospital and outpatient departments, including the emergency department. The hospital said the reception desk is also not accepting outside food, flowers, or other personal items for patients.

If you are allowed to visit due to an exception, you will be screened. There are shortened visitor hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and no one under 18 may visit.

Visitor exceptions include:

• Outpatient Surgery – one support person
• Outpatient Testing – one support person as determined on a case-by-case basis and managed by the care team and leadership
• Emergency Department – one support person determined on a case-by-case basis and managed by the care team and department leadership
• While in Labor and Delivery, patients may have one partner (same person) and one doula if needed.
• Patients in the Mother Baby Unit may have one visitor.
• Pediatric patient population may have one visitor.
• Critically ill/end-of-life situations; the number of visitors determined on a case-by-case basis and department leadership.
• One caregiver necessary for the safety of the patient as determined on a case-by-case basis and department leadership.
• The public will NOT be allowed to wait in the hospital lobby.

The hospital said screening will include asking the CDC recommended questions regarding travel and exposure and temperatures will be taken. Anyone testing positive as a result of the screening and temperature will be masked and told to go directly to their physician's office.

Each person screened will be given a pass that shows they were screened and if they were positive or negative. Each office should request to see the pass to verify the results of the screening.

The screening and access to the building will be Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. and closed on Sundays. This process will be in place until further notice, the hospital said.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update March 27: U.S. Surpasses China