Visitor Policy
Family and friends are an important part of a patient’s healing and recovery. We invite our patients to have loved ones visit when it is convenient. Visitors must support the comfort, care and privacy of our patients, and adhere to our visitor policies and any temporary restrictions. Masking is now optional for visitors, patients and caregivers in most Adventist HealthCare facilities, except in the areas noted below. Everyone is welcome to wear a mask if they choose. If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, we request that you wear a mask.
In some circumstances, visiting hours and the number of visitors may be limited. Please see below for more information or any visitor restrictions.
COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we may at times limit the number of visitors in our facilities.
Updated: November 29, 2023
Adventist HealthCare adjusts masking and visitor policies at its facilities based on the rate of COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospitals. Surgical masks are currently required at all of our facilities in areas where direct patient care is taking place. Masks and additional details will be provided when you arrive. We appreciate your cooperation in keep our healing environment safe for all patients and healthcare workers.
- Fort Washington Medical Center is allowing one (1) healthy visitor for admitted patients. Exceptions and additional guidelines are noted below.
- Rehabilitation is allowing one (1) healthy visitor at any time. Visiting hours and other policies are noted below.
- Shady Grove Medical Center is allowing two (2) healthy visitors per day. Visiting hours and other policies are noted below.
- White Oak Medical Center is allowing two (2) healthy visitors per day. Visiting hours and other policies are noted below.
No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 patients or persons under investigation for COVID-19 at our hospitals with the following exceptions:
- Labor and Delivery – one visitor permitted for entire stay
- Minor children – one parent or guardian permitted for entire stay
- Support persons for individuals with disabilities as outlined in Adventist HealthCare clinical policy 209.0.
- Compassionate care/end-of-life situations
Location Specific Policies
Please select a location below for specifics of that location’s current Visitor Policy:
Fort Washington Medical Center
- Visitors must be five years of age or older.
- Visiting hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.
- Visitors nor patients are not allowed to use the cafeteria for any reason.
Emergency Department
- One (1) visitor is allowed.
- There are no restricted visiting hours. One (1) visitor is permitted 24-7.
White Oak Medical Center
- Visitors must enter through the Main Lobby from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. where they will check-in at the front desk. For the security of our patients, visitors, and staff the Emergency Department lobby will be the only entrance open between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Overnight visitors must check in with the security officer in the Emergency Department lobby for a visitor badge.
- Inpatients, outpatients, emergency and observation patients free of COVID-19 may have two healthy visitors, age 12 or older.
- Visitation is permitted at any time.
- For maternity patients, one designated trained Doula is also permitted in the Labor and Delivery Department and must remain on the unit.
- Visitation can be suspended, restricted, or altered at any time by a team member, in consultation with leadership, to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, healthcare workers and care providers.
Shady Grove Medical Center
- Inpatients, outpatients, emergency and observation patients free of COVID-19 may have two healthy visitors per day, age 12 or older. Please see below for guidelines for mental health inpatients.
- Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Visitors must enter through the Main Lobby. Visitors should be free of any symptoms of illness and must wear a hospital-provided surgical mask in any area where patient care is taking place.
- Use of the Woodlands Café and waiting areas are limited to guests who are escorting or visiting patients in the hospital and who have checked in. Use of the third-floor Evergreen Lounge is restricted to CVIR patients and end-of-life ICU visitors.
- Visitation can be suspended, restricted, or altered at any time by a team member, in consultation with leadership, to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, healthcare workers and care providers.
Behavioral Health
- Limited, pre-scheduled in-person visitation is permitted on Shady Grove Behavioral Health inpatient units. Please speak with your loved one’s nursing team for details on dates and times.
- Only one visitor is permitted for the duration of the visit.
- Visitors must be 18 years of age, and provide identification upon signing in at the Front Desk.
- Visitors are not permitted to bring any personal belongings to the unit.
Rehabilitation
Visitation Policy for Rehabilitation at Rockville
- One Visitor at a Time: Each patient will be permitted one visitor at a time. There is no requirement for pre-designation, and visitors may change throughout the patient's stay. No visitors under the age of 16 years. Visiting Hours are from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Continued Safety Protocols: For the health and safety of our patients and team members, the following safety protocols will remain in place:
- Visitor Mask Requirement: Visitors must wear a hospital-issued mask or self-provided N95/KN95 at all times. No cloth masks.
- Front Desk Screening: Visitors must complete a screening form.
Visitation Policy for Rehabilitation at White Oak Hospital
- Rehabilitation at White Oak defers to the visitation policies of White Oak Medical Center listed above.
- Compliance with Safety Standards: Visitors failing to comply with safety standards will be kindly asked to leave. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in ensuring a safe environment for our patients and staff.
Exceptions to Visitor Restrictions
- One parent or guardian for a minor child in our care
- One adult visitor for Labor & Delivery patients during the length of stay
- Compassionate care, end-of-life situations
- Support persons for individuals with disabilities (in accordance with AHC CP 209.0 - Access to Support Persons for Individuals with Disabilities in Health Care Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic)
In the four situations noted above, Adventist HealthCare limits visitation to only those persons who are essential for the patient's physical or emotional well-being. Visitors must comply with all CDC guidance regarding visitation.
Stay Healthy
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, we ask all visitors to practicing good health hygiene in addition to the safety practices noted in our visitor policy. Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cough/sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Additional Information
If you have further questions regarding the Visitor Policy, please contact our hospitals directly:
