MedStar Southern Maryland Patient Visitation Guidelines
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Patient Visitation Guidelines, effective April 10, 2023
Effective April 10, 2023, face masks are optional for all patients and visitors who are asymptomatic.
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 will be available onsite for patients and visitors.
Visitors will sign-in at the front desk and receive a visitor badge.
Effective, Nov. 1, 2022, MedStar Southern Maryland will implement the following guidelines for patient visitation:
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Outpatient Physician Practices
- Outpatients may have two (2) visitors accompany them to their appointment.
- There is no age restriction for visitors to outpatient areas; however, children under 12 years of age must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.
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Emergency Department
- Patients may have a primary support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time.
- Patients may have two (2) visitors.
- Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.
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Same-day Surgery
- Patients may have a primary support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time.
- Patients may have two (2) visitors.
- Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.
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Inpatients (hospitalized patients)
Patient support persons
Patients are allowed to have a primary support person (PSP) which may be selected by the patient, designated decision maker, and/or family. The PSP is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time.
General visitation guidelines- Visitors are permitted at any time the patient permits, except for certain circumstances, as outlined by the hospital’s visitation policy.
- Two (2) visitors at a time may be in a patient’s room (see below for exceptions in certain situations and in certain areas).
- Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor at all times.
Exceptions to visitation guidelines
- The clinical care team may determine exceptions to the general visitation guidelines on a case-by-case basis in situations such as:
- Patients who are COVID-19 positive or a person under investigation (PUI)
- Patients in critical condition or at end of life
- Patients going to, or returning from, surgery outside of normal visiting hours
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Labor & Delivery
- Two (2) visitors and one professional support person may be in the room during labor and delivery.
- No restrictions on hours.
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Postpartum (Mother/Baby)
- Two (2) visitors may be in the mother’s room at a time.
- No restrictions on hours.
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Special Care Nursery (SCN)
- Two (2) visitors may be in the patient’s room at a time.
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Behavioral Health Unit
- One (1) visitor per patient.
- Visiting hours are 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven (7) days a week
General visitor information
Whether you are visiting a friend, coming for a doctor's appointment, having some tests, or being admitted as a patient, we want you to be comfortable at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. Please review the following information before your visit.
When you arrive at our hospital, please check in at the front desk to receive a visitor's pass. Please wear your pass throughout your visit. You will be given a new visitor's pass each day.
General visitation rules
Each patient may have up to two (2)* visitors at a time. A patient’s designated primary support person (PSP) is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time. For the safety of our patients, their families, and other visitors, please do not visit if you have a cough, cold, or another communicable disease.
The hospital asks all visitors to help maintain a quiet environment for the welfare of our patients. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center reserves the right to limit visitors or visiting hours in the best interests of our patients, visitors, and staff.
*Behavior health patients may have up to one (1) visitor at a time during designated visiting hours.
Driving directions and parking information
NOTE: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center is a smoke-free institution. Smoking is prohibited inside hospital buildings and on hospital grounds.
Medical information
Medical records
A patient may request a copy of his/her medical record by a written request. The written request must contain the following information:
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Patient's Name
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Date of Birth
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Social Security Number
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Dates of Service
If someone else is picking up the records for the patient, their name must appear on the request. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Authorization forms are available in the Health Information department.
A patient's family member (parent/legal guardian) may request copies of medical records if a patient is a minor or incapacitated. Parent/Guardian must have the written permission of the patient to release copies of the record, or have the patient's power of attorney. The name of the family member must be documented on the request.
Power of attorney
If the patient is deceased and if there is no one with the power of attorney or no one has been appointed executor of the estate, family members need to contact the Register of Wills in the county they live to open an estate for the purpose of obtaining medical records. Proof of Power of Attorney or Executive of Estate must be presented.
For Prince George's County, the number is 301-952-3250. For Charles County, the number is 301-932-3345.
Requests for medical records
All requests for medical information are to be made to the Medical Records window at the Cashier's Office located on the first floor of the hospital (across from the hospital Gift Shop).
If requesting records by mail, please use the following address:
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Road
Clinton, MD 20735
Attn: Medical Records Request—Cashier's Office
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 301-877-4524
How long will it take to obtain copies of my medical records?
It takes 5 to 10 working business days to process the request. If the patient has just been discharged from the hospital, the request will be processed once the chart is complete. This may take 30 days if requesting a complete copy.
Protecting your confidential medical information
As a patient of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, you have a right to confidentiality. We strive to continuously ensure that your personal health information is kept private.
Here are some ways MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center is maintaining the confidentiality of our patients’ information:
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Medical records are secured on the nursing floors and in the Health Information department. Only members of your healthcare team are permitted access to your information.
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Paper information with personal information is shredded before disposal.
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Access to computers with patient information is password protected.
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Computer screens are angled so only the person with a need for access sees patient information.
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Computer screens are programmed to go "blank" after a certain time if not in use.
Insurance and billing
We are contracted with most of the major insurances in this area. However, some insurances require different services be performed at their own facilities, or contracted vendors. We strongly urge you to contact your insurance carrier (HMO, PPO, MCO, etc.) to verify they will cover the services you need to have.
Billing summary
You will receive a summary of your charges within 30 days of your discharge. This summary will also give you additional information, such as what insurance we are billing, and what other providers may be billing you. If you require an itemized billing, please call 301-877-4262 and we will be more than happy to supply you with a listing of itemized charges.
If you believe the charges on your bill are incorrect or you have any concerns regarding your bill, please call 301-877-4262. We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have about your bill.
Cost for treatment
Hospitals in the state of Maryland have their charges regulated by the Health Services Cost Review Commission. In 1971, the Maryland legislature created this agency to set the rates that Maryland hospitals may charge. In turn, regardless of whether you are an insurance company or private pay patient, you will pay the same rates. We cannot negotiate our charges.
We are here to help
We have a team of account specialists who are willing to help and assist you with your questions regarding insurance, billing, and payment plans. Call 301-877-4262,
Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to reach them.