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

MedStar Good Samaritan 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.

Visitor information

  • 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

    • For the safety and security of our patients, associates, and guests, all visitors must check in at one of our security desks for entry and to receive a visitor badge.

      • Main Entrance

      • Emergency Department

      • Russell Morgan Building

      • Smyth Building

  • 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 Patient and Those Being Tested for COVID-19

    • 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 PUIs will be limited to compassionate care and must be restricted to the patient’s room or other designated facility areas.

    • Visitors 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.

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. 

       
  • 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.
     
  • 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

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.

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.

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.