Visitor Information

Visiting Hours

Visitors are encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of patients and to observe the following established visiting hours and guidelines specific to individual nursing units:

Critical Care Unit:

Visits are restricted to two people at a time for short periods between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Visitors must be age 16 or older. These visits may be scheduled in advance by calling 258- or 348-2460.

Behavioral Health Services Inpatient Unit:

Visiting hours are 6 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. To gain entrance, visitors must pick up the phone near the door of the unit, dial the number provided and check in at the nurses’ station before visiting patients.

Outpatient Surgery:

Two visitors for children under 12, one visitor for adults.

Women & Children Center:
The unit provides family-focused care and siblings are welcome to visit.

Visiting hours are established to provide a safe, comfortable and convenient environment for our patients. Please limit visitors to no more than two visitors at a time. In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health licensure regulations, children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult to visit a patient, while children under 6 years old may not visit unless the patient is in a private room or a special visiting room is arranged.

All other areas of the Health Center observe open visiting hours.
Health Center Main and Visitor entrances are locked at 8:30 p.m. daily, but you are able to exit through these doors at all times. The Emergency Room entrance remains open 24 hours a day. The wishes of patients, their roommates and staff should always be considered regarding the number of visitors and visiting times - even when no visiting hours or restrictions are in place. Please - for our patients’ safety and well-being - do not visit patients if you have or are recovering from a contagious disease.

Sending Mail or Cards

Mail may be sent to Sarah Bush Lincoln patients addressed as:
[Patient's Full Name]
c/o Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
1000 Health Center Drive
P.O. Box 372
Mattoon, IL  61938

Using the patient's home address as the return address on the mailing envelope will make forwarding mail easy in the event that they have been discharged.

You may also send an eCard.

Phoning a Patient?

Patients may place outgoing calls 24 hours a day. To avoid interrupting their rest, they may receive calls between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. An operator will direct incoming calls to the nursing unit if they are made outside of these hours. Calls can be made directly on a touch-tone phone by dialing either 258-2525 or 348-2525. A recorded message instructs you to press 4, and then enter the three-digit room number. If you do not have a touch-tone phone or do not know the room number, an operator is always available to assist.

Cellular phone use is prohibited on the fourth floor of the Health Center because the phones can disrupt patient monitors.

Security and Parking

Hospital security officers are on duty after regular business hours and are available to escort visitors to their cars during non-daylight hours, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. To reach a security officer, call the Operator on one of our in-house phones. Parking in well-lit lots is provided for visitors in the two main parking lots in front of the Health Center, as well as on the west side of the building near the Emergency Department entrance.

We also now offer free valet parking for patients and visitors at the Main Entrance. Vehicles will be parked by the valet between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will be retrieved 24 hours a day.  

Cafeteria - The Basement Bistro

Visitors are welcome at The Basement Bistro located on the ground level.

The vending area in the Emergency Department Lobby is open 24 hours a day and offers a variety of snacks and beverages. A microwave is also available. There is also a vending machine on the fourth floor.

Sarah's Kiosk

Located in the Main Lobby of the Health Center, Sarah's Kiosk offers gourmet coffees and cocoas with convenience and a friendly face. Hours are 7:30 - 10:30 a.m., Monday thru Friday.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in the Health Center and on the property. Visitors are not allowed to smoke in patients’ rooms or in any part of the Health Center.

The Gift Shop

The Gift Shop is located in the Main Lobby. A variety of merchandise, including greeting cards, jewelry, gift items, fresh flowers, candy, balloons and magazines is available for your convenience. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. The Gift Shop hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Shopping by phone is available by calling ext. 2168.

In Home Medical, Mattoon and Effingham
- Breast pump sales and rentals
- Nursing bras

Mail Drop

Located in Main Lobby outside Gift Shop.

Automatic Teller Machine

Provided by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Located in the Main Lobby next to the information desk.

Patricia A. Jenkins Medical Library

The library provides information to patients and their families about their illnesses. Telephone numbers and addresses of agencies to contact about specific diseases are also available. A professional library staff assists its customers in locating information. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call ext. 2262.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Prairie Medical Pharmacy

The Prairie Medical Pharmacy is a full-service outpatient pharmacy that offers quick, convenient service and competitive pricing. The pharmacy is located right off the Health Center’s Main Lobby - handy for patients being discharged or those visiting their physicians in the SBL Medical Office Pavilion. Pharmacy hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (217) 258- or 348-2411 for more information.

Nurse Staffing Information 

The public has the right to access nurse staffing information. The request may be made at any time by calling the general hospital number at (217) 258- or 348-2525 and requesting to speak to the Nursing Supervisor.

Patients & Visitors

Make a First Appointment Maternity Pre-Registration Make a Donation Recognize a Sarah Bush Lincoln Employee