Patient & Visitor Information | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital | MedStar Health

Accommodations

Please see the Local Accommodations page for hotels in the area.

Dining

Belvedere Bistro (ground floor) Serving breakfast and lunch.
Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (limited menu on weekends)

Canteen (first floor, near the Courtyard Coffeehouse) Refreshment vending.
Open daily: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Courtyard Coffeehouse (located off of the main lobby) Serving pastries, breakfast items, and light refreshments.
Open daily: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Gift shop

The Gift Shop, located in the main lobby, has toiletries for patients, gifts, cards, snacks, and reading materials. The Gift Shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds are donated to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.

Visiting information

Visitor policy effective Nov. 1, 2022

  • Policy Statement

    It is the policy of MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (“MGSH”) to enhance patient care by identifying visitors, establishing visiting hours, determining requirements to visit COVID-19-positive patients, and determining the number of authorized visitors per type of patient.

    This policy establishes the hours and procedures for the visitation of patients at MGSH. This policy additionally provides the procedures for the designation and approval of support persons for patients with disabilities.


  • Scope

    All hospital associates shall work collaboratively with the Security Department and Nursing Services, to create a healing environment that ensures the safety, security, and confidentiality of visitors, patients, and our associates.
  • General Inpatient and ICU Visitation

    • 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Exceptions for visitors outside this timeframe are authorized by the nurse supervisor or the care team.
    • Two visitors are allowed per patient.
    • Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Emergency Department (ED) and Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) Visitation

    • 24 hours
    • One visitor is allowed per patient with the caveat that a visitor for CIS patients must be 18 years or older.
    • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • COVID-19 and Persons Under Investigation (PUI) Inpatient Visitation

    • 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • One visitor at a time per patient.
    • Exceptions to visitors outside this timeframe are authorized by the nurse supervisor or the care team.
    • Visitors for patients with confirmed COVID-19 or PUI’s will be limited to compassionate care and support persons for patients with disabilities and must be restricted to the patient’s room or other designated facility areas.
    • Visitors, professional support persons, and support persons for patients with disabilities for patients with confirmed COVID-19 or PUI must don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided by hospital staff including procedure mask, isolation gown, goggles or face shield (eye protection), and gloves; and must not be ill or show symptoms of illness.
    • Patients with disabilities will be allowed to designate a support person to accompany, visit, and stay in the hospital with them. A support person is defined as someone who is legally authorized to make decisions for the individual with disabilities, a family member, a personal care assistant, a disability service provider, or another individual knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient who is authorized to assist the patient in making decisions. Other reasonable accommodations for patients with disabilities may be approved by the Vice President of Medical Affairs and/or Chief Nursing Officer, provided the accommodations comply with all infection prevention policies.
  • Hospice and End of Life Visitation

    • 24 hours, 7 Days a week for patients within the Accent Hospice unit or for end-of-life patients within any of our inpatient units.
    • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Support Person

    Patients With Disabilities with Support Person

    • Patients with disabilities may designate one support person to accompany them throughout their visit or stay at MedStar Health. This designation will be documented in the patient’s record with the exceptions provided below:
      • 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.).
    • 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
    • The point of contact person is the administrator on call or clinical leadership in the 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

    With Disability without 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 laws and regulations.

    With 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 the patient’s visitor or support person.


  • Right to Change or Terminate Policy

    The hospital President has the final sign-off authority on all hospital policies. Changes in policy must be reviewed and approved by the leadership of the disciplines affected, as well as any applicable committees that are responsible for the oversight of the clinical practice prior to final sign-off by the hospital President.

Local hotels

Rates are based on availability. Please tell the reservation desk that you want the MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital rate.

Revised: 3/10/2017

During your stay

At MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, our vision is to create and deliver ideal healthcare experiences. That's a big task. One way we can help patients and their families better understand the hospital environment is by providing clear information. Here's information that you may find helpful.

Patient Handbook

Healthcare Support Person

Case Management/Social Work

If individual or family problems arise during your hospitalization, MedStar Good Samaritan's Case Management Department can assist you. Our social workers are available every day to help you with concerns, including discharge planning, living arrangements, financial needs, social needs, and emotional concerns. To speak with a social worker, call 443-444-3860.

Compliments and Complaints

We welcome your comments and suggestions. You may direct your comments to your patient representative, or you may use the PUTTING YOU FIRST suggestion boxes located throughout the hospital. Suggestion boxes with comment cards are located in the ER waiting area, cafeteria, and outside of the main elevators on each floor.

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital also has a Patient Satisfaction Survey Program. This telephone survey program helps us to better serve our patients. If we call you, please take a few minutes to comment on your care. We are committed to improving your care and we can only make it better through your input.

Food Services

Gift Shop

The Gift Shop, located in the main lobby, has toiletries for patients, gifts, cards, snacks, and reading materials. The Gift Shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds are donated to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.

Overnight Accommodations

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital has secured special rates at several hotels for our patients' out-of-town visitors. For information about reservations and accommodations, call x3870 from your hospital telephone or 443-444-3870 from outside the hospital.

Parking

Free parking is available for visitors across from the main entrance of the Hospital or at the rear of the building. Visitor parking is also available in front of the hospital's two professional office buildings.

Patient Care Advisory Committee

The committee is a multidisciplinary group of physician, nurses, social workers, clergy, and health executives that will assist patients and relatives dealing with difficult treatment conditions and address medical and ethical decisions and concerns. To get in touch with the committee, ask your nurse manager.

Patient Representatives

MedStar Good Samaritan has trained patient representatives that will assist you and answer any questions or concerns during your stay. The patient representative is your personal advocate and will make sure your concerns are addressed. To speak with a patient representative, call 443-444-4004.

Security

The hospital has a 24-hour security service to aide patients, visitors, and employees. Security personnel will assist with minor vehicle problems such as jump-starts, lockouts, etc. To contact the security office, call 443-444-4300.

Taxis

For your convenience, a direct line to a local taxicab service is located at our Information Desk in the main lobby, as well as at the Emergency Room Security Desk and the Morgan Building Entrance.

Additional information

Directions to MedStar Good Samaritan  

For updated schedules and bus routes, visit the Maryland Transit Administration website.