Visitors who wish to stay in the hospital overnight must talk with the unit head nurse or hospital nursing supervisor for an overnight visitor’s pass. Visitors arriving at the hospital between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. must enter through the Emergency Department and receive authorization from Protective Services officer on duty.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children under 14 are not allowed in the intensive care unit (ICU) waiting rooms or in the eighth floor bone marrow transplant unit unless approval is first received from either the unit head nurse, hospital nursing supervisor or attending physician. Intensive care unit visiting hours are flexible depending upon the unit; check with the unit’s head nurse for more information.

Only two visitors are allowed with a patient in the Emergency Department, and each must display a visitor’s pass. Emergency Department staff may ask visitors to remain in the waiting area.

Waiting Areas
Each patient floor has an intensive care unit waiting room for family members of ICU patients. Each floor also has a general waiting area directly off the visitor’s elevator. Children under 14 may wait in the general waiting area, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Staying Overnight
The Saint Louis University Hospital Auxiliary Hospital House provides a home away from home for families of out-of-town patients at Saint Louis University Hospital. This house, opened in July 1992, is located one block north of the hospital at 3631 Hickory. The house provides affordable and safe housing for families and eligible patients.

Each of the 23 guest rooms is equipped with a private bath, refrigerator, microwave, television and private telephone line connected to the hospital. Laundry facilities are provided in the basement. A smoke-free environment is maintained.

Advance reservations cannot be accepted. Room availability is based on daily turnover. To inquire about room availability, call the Auxiliary house coordinator on the day of your arrival at (314)268-5350 on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. and on weekends between 9 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. On holidays, please call the Protective Services department at (314)577-8078 for room availability. If you are calling from within the hospital complex, call the Auxiliary House at extension 5350 or Protective Services at extension 8078.

Rates to stay at the Auxiliary House are: $30 per night for a queen-size room that sleeps four; $25 per night for a room with two twin beds; and $20 per night for a single room.

In addition to the Hospitality House, some local hotels offer discounted rates. Hotel discount information may be obtained in Admitting, Protective Services, the Volunteer Office, Customer Relations or the Information Desk.

In addition, assistance with long-term housing needs, such as rental apartments, may be arranged through Customer Relations, (314) 577-8500.

Parking When You Visit

• Daily visitor parking is available in the Vista Avenue garage (located on the south side of the hospital) at a rate of 50 cents an hour with special discounted passes for patients and families.
• Patients and their visitors may receive $1 a day parking pass from the Information Desk.
• Families and visitors may purchase a $20, seven-day parking pass at the garage Cashier’s Booth.
• Families and visitors may buy a 14-day parking pass by getting an authorization form from the Information Desk in the hospital lobby.

Customer Relations
Saint Louis University Hospital’s patient representatives are the link between patients and their families and the hospital staff. They are available to help with matters concerning patients’ hospitalization, to answer questions, and to listen to suggestions and opinions.

Among the information and help provided are assistance with housing/hotels, directions/maps, restaurants, travel arrangements, interpreters and notary public services. Customer Relations may be reached Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (314) 577-8500. At other times, messages may be left for Customer Relations with the switchboard or by calling a nursing supervisor, social worker or Pastoral Care.

Addressing Your Spiritual Needs
Patients, families and friends are always welcome to visit the hospital’s Chapel of Christ the Crucified King, which is open 24 hours a day. The chapel’s crucifix scene was designed by Ralph Adams Cram, a famous architect. On the chapel’s 50th anniversary in 1982, it was restored under the direction of Verner I. Burks. Located just outside is the Chapel Garden of the Healing Christ, a beautifully landscaped meditation garden open April through October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other accommodations for meeting your spiritual needs:

• Chaplains may be reached by calling the hospital operator and asking for the chaplain on call.
• Catholic Mass is conducted in the chapel on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Monday through Friday at noon. The masses are televised on Channel 6 in patient rooms.
• Programs on religious, scriptural and family values are offered at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day on Channel 6.

Food Services
Saint Louis University Hospital’s cafeteria, located on the first floor, is open from midnight to 2 a.m.; 6:30-9:30 a.m. for breakfast; 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch; and 4:30 –7 p.m. for dinner. Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available during regular meal hours, and snack and grab-and-go items are available between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. Vending machines located in the cafeteria offer a selection of soft drinks and snack items. In addition, the hospital’s Coffee Cart, located between the main lobby and the parking garage escalators, offers specialty coffees and pastries from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Social Work
Social workers are available at all times to assist you when you need support from community services. Call 577-8865 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Other times call the hospital operator.

Other Services You May Need

• Cabs – direct phone lines for local cab service are located in the main lobby, hospital entrance and Emergency Department waiting area.
• ATM – an ATM cash dispenser is located on the first floor of Desloge Tower.
• Change machine – available 24 hours a day in the cafeteria.
• Gift shop – the shop is located on the hospital’s first floor; it is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
• Newspapers – vending machines are located in the hospital’s lobby.