Hours and services while visiting patients

At MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, our goal is to offer quality care in a friendly, comfortable environment that is respectful of our patients and their families. Here’s all you need to know while visiting a patient at the hospital.
Visiting information
Visit policy effective Nov. 1, 2022
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Policy Statement
It is the policy of MedStar Union Memorial Hospital (“MUMH”) 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 MUMH. This policy additionally provides the procedures for the designation and approval of support persons for patients with disabilities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 ServicesPatients 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.
- 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:
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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.
Smoking policy
For the health of our patients, visitors, and staff, MedStar Union Memorial is a completely smoke-free campus. This means smoking and the use of all tobacco products is prohibited on all grounds of the hospital, including parking garages, personal vehicles, and sidewalks surrounding the campus.
We offer smoking cessation classes, as well as information on resources in the community, for individuals wishing to quit smoking.
Thank you for your cooperation and contributing to a healthier environment for everyone!
Internet access
Free Wi-Fi access is available for all patients and visitors and can be used on all inpatient floors in the cafeteria and main lobby, and in the outpatient surgery center.
To access: select MedStarGuest under your laptop or other smart device’s Wi-Fi settings to get started.
For 24/7 support, call 1-877-777-8787.
Dining
Cafeteria
The cafeteria, offering a variety of hot and cold items and beverages, is located on the first (lobby) floor of the main hospital building. Hours of operation are below. Keep in mind there are no snacks or dinner on the weekends.
Breakfast
6:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Lunch
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Snacks
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Dinner
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Coffee bar
The Kiosk Coffee Bar features a variety of specialty coffee and tea drinks, as well as soda, juices, water, bagels, and baked goods. The coffee bar is located in the lobby of the Johnston Professional Building.
Vending machines
Visitors may purchase sandwiches, snacks, candy, coffee, soft drinks, and other snacks at any time from vending machines located in the cafeteria and below the ramp leading to the 33rd Street building.
Gift shop
The Front Door Gift Shop is located in the hospital's main lobby. It offers a variety of unique gifts for everyone, including balloons, cards, jewelry, stuffed animals, toys, magazines, snacks, and beverages. Call the Gift Shop at 410-554-2658.
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
10 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Other services
Pastoral care
The Riggs Chapel is just off the main lobby of the hospital building and is open to all for prayer and private meditation. Special services are also available.
The hospital chaplain, visiting clergy, and pastoral care volunteers offer support and counseling services to patients and their families.
A traditional Episcopal communion service is held in the chapel each Wednesday at noon in the chapel. All are welcomed.
The pastoral care services team is committed to the spiritual needs of patients, family, and staff. We respect each person’s values, beliefs, and religious orientation.
Patient and family library
Our medical library staff is happy to help you find the right health information for you or your loved one. For assistance, call 410-554-2294.
Services for the hearing impaired
A sign language interpreter is available by pre-arrangement. Call 410-554-2240, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For emergency needs, call 410-318-6780.
A TDD is available in our emergency department for incoming and outgoing calls: 410-554-2626.