Frequently asked questions for patients

Admission to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is usually prearranged by your physician. Check-in time on the day of your arrival is dependent upon your procedure and is determined by your physician. Emergency patients are admitted at any hour of the day.

When you are admitted, please bring identification as well as insurance information. You will have an identification band placed on your wrist that tells the hospital staff your name, hospital number and physician's name. You should not remove this band during your stay.

Cell phone policy: We ask our patients and visitors to use cell phones with discretion.

Smoking policy: In keeping with our mission to promote health and wellness, smoking is not allowed anywhere on our hospital campus, including courtyards, parking lots and the extensive grounds. This policy pertains to patients and visitors, as well as physicians, team members and volunteers.

During your stay, you will need only a few personal items, such as toiletries, a bathrobe, slippers, and a nightgown or pajamas. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital provides patients with hospital attire that may be more practical during the first few days of your stay. After that, you may prefer to wear your own clothing. We suggest you leave all jewelry, large sums of money, expensive articles of clothing, legal documents and other valuables at home.

Patient menus are planned according to nutrition guidelines and recommended dietary allowances as prescribed by your physician. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital's food and nutrition department consistently provides excellent food and service to our customers. Every effort is made to provide a variety of appealing and tasteful menu items for both general and modified diets. If you would like to make special dietary requests because of ethnic, religious or personal preferences, please tell your nurse.

Nutrition counseling: Inpatient and outpatient nutrition counseling is available through the food and nutrition department. All counseling is done on a one-to-one basis. A physician referral is required for this service.

Cafeteria:  Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed:  Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Grab and Go:  Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. to Midnight

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays   6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

An ATM is located at the Main Entrance near the cafeteria

Spiritual Care: The chapel is located off the West Main Entrance on the first floor and is open 24 hours a day. The cornerstone of our mission as a faith-based hospital is caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Our goal is to provide excellent patient care. That includes meeting your spiritual needs. The chaplains are available to provide emotional and spiritual support to you and to members of your family.

Ethics consultation service: The ethics consultation service assists clinicians, patients and their families to resolve ethical situations that may arise. An ethics consultation may help to determine if an ethical issue is present, clarify patient preferences and goals, explore alternatives and resolve conflicts. The patient and anyone involved in his or her care, including the family, surrogate or medical personnel may request an ethics consultation. Call 847-381-9600 or extension 265414 to contact the clinical ethics committee service or have your nurse page the ethics consultant directly.

There are two different documents that you can elect to complete that will direct how your health care will be delivered if you become incapacitated. They are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care. A living will gives a patient the right, through a written declaration, to have death-delaying procedures withheld or withdrawn in the event of a terminal condition. A durable power of attorney for health care states that individuals have a right, even when incompetent, to control all aspects of their medical treatment. Patients should ask their nurse for guidance in obtaining and completing these documents.

Good Shepherd Hospital is designated as a Level II trauma center. The emergency department is equipped to care for critically ill or injured pediatric patients and has received the Emergency Department Approved Pediatrics (EDAP) state designation. This means Good Shepherd is specially designated to care for pediatric emergency cases. Read more about the Emergency Department.

Advocate's mission is to provide quality and compassionate health care to our patients and their families. We understand that hospital bills and insurance claims can be confusing. We want to help you understand what Advocate will do to assist you, how you can assist us and your health plan, and how we can help you with your application for qualifying for government or charity assistance programs.  If you wish to speak to a customer service associate, please call 630-645-2400 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

View our guide Understanding Billing and Financial Assistance in English or Spanish.