Patient and Visitor Information: MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

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.

General visitor information

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center understands that having loved ones by your side can help with your healing and care. You have the right to choose and prioritize visitors from among family, friends, partners, personal care aides, or other individuals (regardless of the person’s gender or your relationship to the person).

You also can choose a support person to be present throughout your stay, unless that person’s presence affects your health or the rights or safety of other patients. If you have any questions about your visitation rights, contact our Patient Advocate at 301-570-8539.

Visitor passes

MedStar Montgomery uses an electronic badge system to create visitor badges. The sticker badge will feature the visitor’s name, picture, destination, and expiration date. This information will be gathered quickly by scanning the visitor’s state provided ID card. When a visitor is unable to produce an ID, he or she will have his or her picture taken. Badges will become void after approximately eight to 12 hours. Visit the front desk for a new badge once it has become void. Visitors will not need to re-take a picture or show an ID card again.

Visitor guidelines

To provide a restful and safe environment, we ask that visitors follow these guidelines:

• Do not visit if you have a cold, sore throat, fever, other illness, or are not feeling well.

• Avoid noisy, disruptive behavior to help respect the healing of all patients.

• Ask before bringing foods, drinks, or items that might trigger allergies—like balloons, flowers, or perfume—into patient rooms.

• Wash your hands before entering patient rooms and throughout your visit.

• Make sure all children have a supervising adult with them at all times.

• If applicable, use tobacco products off campus. MedStar Montgomery Medical Center is tobacco- and tobacco simulation-free. No tobacco or tobacco simulation use of any kind is allowed on any property owned or leased by MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.

Safety and security

We are committed to maintaining a safe, healing environment and expect all patients, visitors, and staff to treat each other with dignity and respect. We will not tolerate physical violence, verbal threats or abuse; photographing or video recording of staff, patients, or activities of care without express permission; or carrying of unauthorized weapons on our premises.

Anyone who threatens or harms others will be subject to removal from the premises by hospital security or the Montgomery County Police Department.

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.

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.

• 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.

Patients with communications deficits may have a primary support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time. The VPMA or CNO may be contacted when exceptions are requested.

• Patients may have one (1) visitor.
• Two (2) parents/guardians may accompany children under 18 years of age.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

• Visiting hours each day are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• In general, visitors will not be permitted to start their visit after 8 p.m., and must end their visits by 9 p.m.
• Clinical staff are engaged in a team discussion regarding patient care every evening from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Patient updates for visitors may be delayed during that time.
• 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

• Monday through Friday: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Adolescent unit: Only parents or guardians may visit. One visitor per patient per day.
• Adult unit: Any adult 18 or older can visit. One visitor per day per patient.

• Outpatients may have one (1) visitor 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.

Patients with communications deficits may have a primary support person who is not considered a visitor and is welcome at any time. The VPMA or CNO may be contacted when exceptions are requested.

• Patients may have one (1) visitor in the surgical waiting area.
• Visitors are not permitted in the pre-surgical area.
• Patients may elect to provide access to the Vocera EASE app to provide updates to additional family members.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult visitor (not the patient) at all times.

Labor & Delivery

• Two (2) visitors and one professional birthing assistant (doula) may be in the room during labor and delivery.

Postpartum (Mother/Baby)

• Three (3) visitors may be in the mother’s room at a time.
• Visiting hours each day are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Siblings of new infants may visit with an adult visitor.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)/Nursery

• Two (2) visitors may be in the patient’s room at a time.

• 24 hours, 7 Days a week for patients within the inpatient hospice unit or for end-of-life patients within any of our inpatient units.

• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.