Hospital Visiting Hours & Information | MedStar Union Memorial Hospital | MedStar Health
Hospital visitor section

MedStar Union Memorial 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 located at each entrance to the campus to receive a visitor badge. All visitors must show an ID to receive a visitor badge.

    • Hospital security officers can provide escorts to the parking lot, assist with lost and found items, and handle public safety issues. Security can be reached at 410-554-2677.

  • 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 PUI’s 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.
  • Outpatient Procedures, Treatments, Services

    Contact your physician’s office for their visiting hours and requirements.

  • Outpatient physician offices

    Contact your physician’s office for their visiting hours and requirements.

  • 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.

 


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.

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:

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.

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.