Patient & Visitor Information | MedStar Georgetown University Hospital | MedStar Health

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Patient guide

Your comfort, safety, and experience are important to us.

Visitor information

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital promotes patient-centered care in a clinically safe and therapeutic environment. We are committed to treating patients, families, and visitors with respect. And we pledge to do everything we can to provide you with the greatest comfort possible while you are here.

Click the “plus symbol” (+) next to the sections below to see the information for that section.


  • Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct

    MedStar Health is committed to providing high-quality care to our patients and communities in a safe and respectful environment that supports health and healing. To ensure our hospitals and care locations are safe, caring, and inclusive, we ask that our patients and visitors adhere to our Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct detailed here.

    If our Code of Conduct guidelines are not followed, patients may be asked to leave and make other plans for their non-emergency care. Visitors may be asked to leave and could be restricted from future visitation.

    Every day, our providers, nurses, and associates are committed to providing the highest levels of care to our patients. Please show them the respect they deserve and that you expect as a patient or visitor. Thank you for joining us in our commitment to ensuring a safe, caring, and inclusive environment for us all.

     

  • Security/Check-in

    Please bring a photo ID with you and plan for an additional few minutes of time to check in and receive a daily MGUH patient or visitor ID badge. Badges include pictures and new badges are issued each day.

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

    • Main Building: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Verstandig Pavilion: Accessible 24/7 from P1 and Ground levels.

    • Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weekdays)

    • Emergency Department: 24/7 for emergencies and for hospital access after 9 p.m.

  • Masking Policy

    Face masks are optional for patients and visitors who are not displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or other viruses (cough, runny nose, sneezing, etc). However, masks may be required in certain areas/rooms in the hospital.

    A medical provider or patient may request that masks be worn in a patient’s room or treatment area. These requests should be respected and honored.

    Face masks are available onsite for patients and visitors.

  • Tobacco Free Policy

    As part of our vision to be the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health, all MedStar Health facilities are tobacco-free. Smoking and the use of any tobacco products in or around our facilities is strictly prohibited. We appreciate your consideration and cooperation.

  • COVID-19 Patients and Those Being Tested for COVID-19

    • Patients who are confirmed COVID-19 positive or under investigation for COVID-19 are permitted two designated visitors during normal visiting hours.
    • All visitors must comply with isolation precautions using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a surgical mask, N95 mask, gown, and gloves.
    • All visitors must wear the appropriate PPE and always keep their mask on while inside the room.
    • The same two visitors should stay in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit. Visitors are expected to be masked while in the patient room and may leave the room to use the restroom or get food/refreshments as needed prior to returning to the patient’s room.
    • If a visitor is identified as being COVID-19 positive, that person is not permitted to visit in-person; however, virtual visitation may be offered. 

Visitor hours and details by department

Normal visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. To encourage rest and recovery, quiet hours are held from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day.

Each patient is permitted a maximum of two visitors at any one time. A designated Support Person for a person with a disability (generally for effective communication) or member of the clergy are also allowed and not included towards the total number of visitors. If there are room size limitations, the order of preference is: Support Person, clergy, visitors.

Some units require additional visitation considerations. Some limitations to visitation can be made by the clinical team, when warranted by the patient’s condition. Please see unit-specific visitation policies below. 

  • Emergency Department

    • Normal visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

    • One visitor is permitted

    • Two visitors may be accommodated in some cases, depending upon space and the clinical situation. 

       

  • Maternal and Newborn Units

    Labor & Delivery

    • Normal visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    • Up to three visitors are permitted.
    • Children 12 years and older may be present but should be a sibling of the newborn and supervised by an adult unless they are a parent of the newborn.

    Mother/Baby

    • Normal visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    • Children under the age of 12 years may be permitted if accompanied by an adult. However, children may not stay overnight.
     

  • Behavioral Health

    Every day 12 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

     

  • Surgery and Post-Surgical Areas

    • Normal visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

    • One visitor is permitted in each unit with the permission of the anesthesiologist and charge nurse

    • Two visitors may be permitted in some cases.

       

  • Outpatient Procedures, Treatments, Services

    • 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.

    • Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

  • Outpatient Physician Offices

    • 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 at End of Life/Hospice

    • Normal visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

    • While we may request that visitors take turns in the room to ensure comfort and safety, more than two visitors are permitted, subject to limits based on space and feasibility. Please call in advance to confirm.

    • Children* and Special Visitors: Children and other special visitors are welcome when appropriate. We ask families to coordinate with nursing staff to ensure a peaceful environment for all.

    • Video calls may be utilized as well.

    *Children under the age of 12 years may be permitted to visit patients receiving end-of-life care, when appropriate.



Support persons for patients with disabilities

MedStar Health is committed to protecting patient rights for visitation and ensuring accommodations for patients with disabilities while providing a safe environment for our patients, visitors, and staff in accordance with MedStar Health’s Patient & Visitor Code of Conduct.

Our Support Persons for Patients with Disabilities policy is available here.

 


Dining options

  • Dunkin'

    This Dunkin' location on the 1st Floor of the Main building is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. serving Dunkin's signature coffee drinks, donuts, and other food and drink items.

  • Georgetown Grab & Go Market

    Georgetown Grab & Go Market is located on the ground level of the Bles building. It features grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, hot breakfast options, and daily featured meal options, snacks, and beverages. It’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

  • Vending Machines

    Snack food vending machines are located on the ground floor in the Gorman building. Wellfound Foods vending machines are located on the 1st Floor and 3rd Floor of the Main building, offering freshly made sandwiches and other healthy options.

  • Starbucks Food and Beverage Kiosk

    Starbucks food and beverage kiosk is located on the Ground Floor lobby of the PHC building, near the information desk and outpatient pharmacy. Enjoy various food and beverage options, including:

    • Freshly brewed Starbucks coffee
    • Assorted teas
    • Assorted breakfast pastries
    • Bottled beverages
    • Variety of chips
    • York Street salads and sandwiches

    Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Please note, credit cards are the only accepted form of payment.

  • Leavey Conference Center*

    The Leavey Conference Center is located across the courtyard from the entrance to Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. It offers several options for both cafeteria-style and restaurant meals.

  • Epicurean*

    Epicurean is located across the courtyard from the Verstandig Pavilion entrance. It features a variety of food options including a buffet, deli, pizza station, noodle bar, and coffee.

*For the latest hours of operation, please visit Georgetown University Dining Hours.

North Gallery at the Leavey Center

Starbucks
Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Royal Jacket Delicatessen
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Pre-Clinical Science Building

P.O.D. Market
Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Hoya Court at the Leavey Center

Chick-fil-A
Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Crop Chop
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Hotel accommodations

Amenities and conveniences

After-hours vehicle safety services

Please call Protective Services at 202-444-3800, when you are ready to leave the hospital and a Protective Services department officer will escort you to your vehicle.

ATMs

An ATM (automated teller machine) is located on the 1st Floor of the Main building.

Gift shop

The gift shop, operated by Lori's Gifts, is located in the main building, first floor. Call 202-444-4181 for more information.

Medical records

For information on how to request medical records, please click here.

Lost and found

The Protective Services office operates the Lost and Found service. If you find or misplace an item, call 202-444-3800.

Notary public for inpatient

Notary services are arranged through the office of Patient Advocacy at 202-444-3040. Requests for a notary should be made in advance, and are provided by appointment between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is no charge for notary services to patients and families but donations for notary services provided are accepted for the Patient Sharing Fund.

Wi-Fi Internet access

Individuals can simply select “MedStarGuest” as their Wi-Fi resource under Settings and connect by accepting the Acceptable Use Policy.