Patient and Visitor Information: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

• Outpatients may have two (2) visitors accompany them to their appointment.
• There is no age restriction for visitors to outpatient areas; however, children 12 years of age and under must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

• Patients may have two (2) visitors.
• Patients with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time. See Exceptions to Visitation Guidelines section below for definitions and details.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

• Patients may have two (2) visitors.
• Patients with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time. See the “Exceptions to Visitation Guidelines” and “Peri-Anesthesia Areas” sections below for definitions and details.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

• Patients with disabilities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) may have one support person accompany them in pre-operative areas, phase I areas, and phase II areas. The support person does not count as a visitor.
• Two visitors per patient are permitted in designated waiting rooms.
• A visitor should be the patient’s responsible person (the person who will escort the patient upon discharge and/or assist in their care at home).
• For patients less than 18 years of age:
  • One parent/guardian is permitted in pre-operative areas.
  • One parent/guardian may be reunited with their child in phase I recovery and permitted to remain until discharge home or transfer to inpatient setting.
• In pre-operative areas, no visitors are allowed except for a designated support person for patients with disabilities.
• In phase I areas, no visitors are allowed except for a designated support person for patients with disabilities.
• In phase II areas, one visitor or support person may be permitted for the purpose of receiving discharge instructions or to assist the health care team in care delivery.
• If boarding overnight in the 7 West PACU, one visitor or support person is permitted from 3 - 8 p.m. No visitor switching is allowed during this time.

General visitation guidelines

• Visiting hours each day are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two (2) visitors at a time may be in a patient’s room (see below for exceptions in certain situations and in certain areas).
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor at all times.
• Overnight visitation may be considered for patients in single occupancy rooms.

Visitation of inpatients who are COVID-19 positive, a Person Under Investigation (PUI), or are monkeypox positive

• No visitors are allowed for inpatients who are COVID-19 positive or a Person Under Investigation (PUI).
• An exception will be made for COVID-19 positive patients and PUIs who have a disability and require a support person.
• One visitor is allowed during normal visiting hours for inpatients who are monkeypox positive. The visitor must wear appropriate personal protective equipment and must stay in the patient’s room for the duration of the visit (they may not come and go from the room).

Labor & Delivery

• Two (2) visitors and one registered/certified professional support person (a doula) may be in the mother’s room at a time during labor and non-surgical delivery; however, the clinical care team may determine exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• No restrictions on hours for adult visitors.
• Sibling visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (not the patient) and may visit only from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Postpartum (Mother/Baby)

• Two (2) visitors may be in the mother’s room at a time; however, the clinical care team may determine exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• Visiting hours each day are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sibling visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (not the patient).

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

• Two (2) visitors may be at the child’s bedside at a time; however, the clinical care team may determine exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• No visitors under age 18 are allowed.
• No restrictions on visiting hours.

General Pediatrics / Peds Transplant / Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

• Visiting hours each day are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two (2) visitors may be at the child’s bedside at a time; however, the clinical care team may determine exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (not the patient)
• One adult visitor may stay the night in the patient’s room.

Behavioral Health

• Visiting hours are noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. daily.
• Two visitors are allowed per patient at a time.
• No visitors under age 18 are allowed.
• Overnight visitation is not allowed.

The clinical care team may determine exceptions to the visitation guidelines on a case-by-case basis in situations such as:

• Patients who are COVID-19 positive or a person under investigation (PUI)
• Patients in critical condition or at end of life
• Patients going to, or returning from, surgery outside of normal visiting hours
• Patients with disabilities may designate one support person to accompany them throughout their visit or stay. The Americans With Disabilities Act defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Minor, temporary, or transient conditions (of less than six months) are generally not considered a disability but will be reviewed by an individualized assessment. The support person does not count as a visitor and is welcome at any time. The designation of a support person will be documented in the patient’s record.

Support persons

• A support person may be a family member, personal care assistant, similar disability service provider, or other individual knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient who is authorized to assist the patient in making decisions.
• This support person may be required to address: 1) needs that are not visually apparent to someone who does not know them (e.g., discomfort, hunger, thirst, pain); 2) changes in their symptoms; 3) needs related to a history of trauma; 4) emotional self-regulation and anxiety management to prevent unnecessary use of physical and chemical restraints.
• Support persons for hospitalized patients with disabilities will be permitted to safely eat, drink, and use a restroom while present in the facility, provided proper precautions are taken to contain the spread of infection.
• Other reasonable accommodations for patients with disabilities may be approved by clinical leadership according to the needs of the patient, provided the accommodations comply with all infection prevention policies.
• Patients with disabilities who are hospitalized for more than one day may designate two support persons, but only one support person may be present at a time. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Ambulatory patients with disabilities may designate one support person who may accompany the patient during an ambulatory visit. All support persons for patients with disabilities will remain with the patient or in a designated waiting area depending on the needs of the patients and the nature of the procedure (e.g., surgery, x-rays, etc.).
• Point of contact person is the administrator on call or clinical leadership in ambulatory setting to support and address any questions.
• Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Vice President of Medical Affairs, Chief Nursing Officer, or clinical leadership in ambulatory setting.

Patients with a disability but without a support person

• If a patient with a disability does not have a support person present during the patient’s visit or stay, MedStar Health will provide necessary aids and services and ensure effective communication and equal access to health care. MedStar Health recognizes its ongoing obligation to provide patients with effective communication support consistent with applicable federal or state law and regulations.

Patient with a disability requesting religious services

• Patients may receive religious services from the clergy of their choice at any reasonable time if it can be provided without disruption to care. Clergy will not count as patient’s visitor.

The following hospital entrances will be available for patients and visitors:

• Main Building: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weekdays)
• Emergency Department: 24/7 for emergencies and for hospital access after 9 p.m.