Patient and Visitor Information: MedStar Harbor Hospital

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.