Patient & Visitor Information | MedStar Harbor Hospital | MedStar Health
MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Bringing patient-centered philosophy to life

After more than a century of healing, MedStar Harbor Hospital is a mainstay in the community, serving patients from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard counties at our convenient waterside location, with the services of a large regional medical center in a smaller, more personal environment.

MedStar Harbor Hospital is an anchor in the community. Specially designed patient care areas have brought our patient-centered philosophy to life. Nursing hubs are located along each hallway, bringing nurses in closer contact with their patients. Public areas and inpatient rooms feature a home-like feel and upscale décor. It's that kind of "un-hospital-like" healing atmosphere and mindset that makes MedStar Harbor Hospital different.

General information

Gift shop

Duckies Courtyard and Gift Shop is located on the first floor, across from the chapel. We offer specialty hot beverages, along with a variety of hot and cold meals, light-fare, and desserts. To reach the Gift Shop call, 410-350-3501.

Hours of operation – Monday-Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chapel and pastoral services

Patients and families seeking a quiet place for prayer and solace are encouraged to use the hospital’s chapel located off of the hospital lobby. If you would like pastoral care, ask your nurse to contact the hospital’s on-call clergy.


Hand washing

Good hand hygiene is the number one way to protect our patients. All inpatient rooms have an alcohol hand rub so healthcare providers can perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact. We encourage family and visitors to use our alcohol hand rub as a quick alternative to hand washing before and after they visit their loved one.



Wi-Fi Internet access and cell phones

Patients and visitors can select “MedStarGuest” as their Wi-Fi resource under Settings and connect by accepting the Acceptable Use Policy. We are pleased to provide this voucher-free Wi-Fi access to give patients and visitors convenient and secure access to connect with family and friends during their time at the hospital.

Please avoid cell phone use in the lobby.

Visitor information

Visitor policy effective Nov. 1, 2022

  • Policy Statement

    It is the policy of MedStar Harbor Hospital (“MHH”) 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 MHH. 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.

Parking

Free parking for patients and visitors is available on the upper north and south parking lots. The upper north patient parking lot is accessible from Cherry Hill Road. The parking lot is adjacent to the Emergency department entrance and the Outpatient Building.

Handicapped spaces are available for easy and quick access. Parking for patient and visitor overflow is located on the upper south parking lot. This lot is accessible from Reedbird Avenue. Click here to view the MedStar Harbor Hospital parking lot map.

ATM

A Bank of America ATM is located on the first floor next to the chapel.

Protective Services

We cannot assume responsibility for personal items, so please leave valuables such as jewelry and credit cards at home. If you come to the hospital with any valuable personal belongings:

  • Send valuables home with a family member, or;
  • Have your nurse contact the unit's patient care coordinator during regular business hours to have your valuables placed in a safe in the cashier's office.
  • After regular business hours contact Protective Services by calling 410-350-3333, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Vending machine

Vending machines are located on the ground floor near the Café, on the first floor by the emergency department, in the Women and Infants' Center, in the Same Day Surgery waiting areas, and in the ICU waiting area.

Smoking policy

MedStar Harbor Hospital is a tobacco-free campus.

Nutrition services

The Food and Nutrition Services department at MedStar Harbor Hospital is dedicated to providing wholesome, nutritious meals in compliance with your physician's orders. We offer a varied menu from which you may make meal selections.

Patient mealtimes

Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Lunch – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dinner – 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If a special test or procedure coincides with a mealtime, we will arrange to bring your meal at a more convenient time.

  • Kosher meals: If you would like to receive kosher meals, we can provide your meal from an authorized supplier. If this option interests you, please inform your nurse.
  • Dietitian available: A clinical dietitian is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about your diet and to provide nutritional education.

Cafe

The Café is located on the ground floor. We offer an extensive menu including full hot meals, light-fare, beverages, and desserts. Hours of operation:

Monday to Friday:

  • Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.