McLaren Health Care Search

Patient and Visitor Information

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.

Admission & Registration

When you arrive, please have your insurance cards and Social Security number ready. Our pre‑admit staff can help with insurance verification, pre‑certification, HMO referrals and any financial questions. A nurse will complete your health history—bringing a list of current medications (with dosages) and any allergies will speed this process.

Discharge & Aftercare (Discharge time is 11 a.m.)

Once your physician determines you’re ready to go home, hospital staff and your care team will design a discharge plan and arrange any needed extended‑care, outpatient or home‑health services. Discharge time is 11 a.m. You’ll receive written instructions covering doctor’s orders, medications and follow‑up care, and a staff member will assist you to your ride.

Discharge Planning & Support

Our Discharge Planning/Social Services team (social workers and nurses) is here to support your medical, financial and emotional needs during your stay and after you return home. For more information, please call our Customer Care Line at 800.968.7111.

Visiting Hours and Guidelines

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 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 in patient rooms.

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 masks may be worn over personal masks.
  • Children: Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Smoke‑free Campus: Smoking or use of any tobacco or marijuana product, including vapes, is not permitted anywhere in the hospital or on hospital grounds.
  • Hand Hygiene: Please practice proper hand hygiene upon entering and exiting patient rooms.
  • Cellular Phones: Cellular equipment may interfere with monitoring systems. Refrain from phone use in marked areas. Use of cameras and recording devices is prohibited in patient care settings.

Exceptions to Inpatient Visitor Guidelines

Intensive Care Unit

ICU patients can receive visitors consistent with the above guidelines, with these exceptions: visitors are limited to two at a time, and the unit is closed for visiting from 7:00–8:30 a.m. and 7:00–8:30 p.m. for nurse hand‑off and confidentiality. Additional exceptions may be made in collaboration with the care team.

Women & Children Care Center

Labor patients may have 24‑hour support. Postpartum and pediatric patients may have one support person stay overnight. Children under 12 need care team approval and are limited to siblings only.

Outpatient Unit Visitor Guidelines

Outpatient appointments (lab, imaging, office visits, procedures without sedation) may have guests. Some waiting rooms have limited seating; in certain areas, only the patient is allowed.

Emergency Department ‑ Petoskey Campus

ER patients are allowed one visitor; pediatric ER patients may have two. If admitted outside visiting hours, the visitor may accompany the patient briefly to get settled, then must leave. No visitors if the patient is COVID‑positive.

Emergency Department ‑ Cheboygan Campus

ER patients may have one visitor; pediatric ER patients may have two. No visitors if the patient is COVID‑positive.

Karmanos Cancer Institute

Hematology/oncology, infusion, and radiation oncology patients may have one visitor; children under 18 are not allowed.

Surgical & Endoscopy Services

Visitors wait in the Surgical or Endoscopy waiting rooms. They may join patients for pre‑procedural preparation and post‑procedure discharge instructions. If the procedure falls outside visiting hours, the visitor may accompany the patient briefly to get settled, then must leave.

Heart Center

Visitors may wait in the Heart Center waiting room during the patient’s procedure. Staff will permit visits in pre‑ and post‑procedure bays as appropriate.

Fire Safety

We periodically conduct fire drills. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In an actual emergency, hospital staff will notify you. We have robust fire protection systems and well‑trained staff.

Electronic Device Use

As guests at McLaren Northern Michigan, please treat all patients, visitors, and staff with respect and preserve patient privacy. Use of cameras and recording devices—including cell phone cameras—is prohibited in patient care settings.

Mobile and electronic device use should be limited in patient care areas and is prohibited where it may interfere with medical equipment. Look for posted signage marking restricted zones.

Parking and Directions

Parking

Parking at McLaren Northern Michigan is free. Please refer to the campus map for parking locations and entrances.

Patient Drop‑off Locations/Entrances

  • Cheboygan Campus: ED Entrance for emergency, imaging, sleep center; Medical Office Bldg. Entrance for surgery, lab draws, physician appointments, cardiac rehab, outpatient therapies.
  • Petoskey Campus: Main Hospital Entrance (Offield Family Pavilion) for inpatient, imaging, lab, labor & delivery; ED Entrance for emergency care, after‑hours labor & delivery, COVID care; Surgery Center Entrance for surgery/endoscopy; Heart Center Entrance for cath lab; KCI Entrance for oncology services.

Amenities

McLaren Northern Michigan provides families the basic amenities listed below and more.

  • Coffee Bar
  • WiFi
  • Gift Shop
  • Reflection Room
  • Lounges and Waiting Areas
  • Hearing Impaired and Interpreter
  • TV
  • Telephones
  • Hourly Rounding
  • Mail (Delivery and Forwarding)
  • Lost and Found

Cafeteria

Algonquin Room Hours (We accept Visa and Mastercard Debit or Credit Cards.)

Monday - Friday: 6:30 am - 9:30 am and 11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Patient Satisfaction

You may be contacted by Press Ganey to complete a survey. Press Ganey a vendor we use to collect data for HCAHPS. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey is backed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The survey is used to improve the quality of healthcare. HCAHPS makes survey results public so hospitals are aware of where changes are needed. The results also enable healthcare consumers to review and compare hospitals before choosing a healthcare provider. Please contact the Quality Manager at (231) 487‑7843. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may submit a letter with the following information:

  • Complainant’s name, address, and telephone number
  • Facility name and location
  • Patient name and location
  • Nature of complaint
  • Date of incident

Send written complaints to:

Michigan Department of Community Health
Bureau of Health Systems Complaint Investigation
Unit P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909
FAX: (517) 241-0093

General Visiting Hours:

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily

McLaren Northern Michigan
416 Connable Avenue
Petoskey, MI 49770

Main Phone: (800) 248-6777

Release of Your Medical Records

McLaren is committed to ensuring the confidentiality of your medical information and offers multiple ways to access your medical records.

A complete inpatient, outpatient surgery, or emergency record is securely kept in the Medical Records Department. You have the right to access this information, and McLaren ensures its confidentiality according to HIPAA Federal laws.

Obtain your records electronically via our patient portal, or request physical copies through mail, fax, or in-person at your McLaren/Karmanos facility.