Visiting Hours

At MedStar Good Samaritan we realize how important it is to have family and friends play a part in the healing process. Exceptions to standard visiting hours can be made to accommodate what is best for each patient.

During your visit, we encourage you to respect the privacy and comfort of all patients. Please observe the following guidelines:

• Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
• Only two visitors per patient in semi-private rooms; four visitors in private rooms.
• Use the main entrance and obtain a visitor’s pass at the Information Desk.
• Leave outside food or beverages at home, unless requested by a patient through a doctor’s order.
• Wear proper attire. People with no shoes and/or shirt are not permitted in the hospital.
• As of November 20, 2008, MedStar Good Samaritan will become a smoke-free campus and will prohibit the use of tobacco.
• Stand clear of any patient care equipment in use at the bedside.
• Exceptions can be easily made to accommodate what is best for our patients. Simply talk to a nurse or your unit’s patient care coordinator.

Critical Care Visiting Hours (ICU/CCU)

• Visitors are permitted 24 hours a day.
• Critical patients may have 1 to 2 visitors in the room; others must wait in the lounge outside of the critical care area.
• The phone located in the lounge is available to call the unit that you are entering to visit.
• We ask that patients’ families delegate one member to call the unit at 443-444-4085 or 443-444-4090 for patient information.

MedStar Good Samaritan provides health care with a patient-centered care focus, which means our policies reflect what is best for our patients. Our visitation policy recognizes the important role that family and friends play in the healing process. In addition, we must provide a safe and secure environment for patients, staff and other guests.

Our guidelines reinforce the need to minimize disruptions to the therapeutic environment of the hospital, while giving patients and their guests time together to:

• make health-related decisions;
• learn self-care techniques so they go home prepared; and
• visit with each other, which helps to fulfill emotional and spiritual needs.

The Security Department is primarily responsible for regulating visitors. However, each MedStar Good Samaritan staff member plays a role in enabling guests to feel comfortable and at ease during their visits.