Visitor Information

The visitation policy for GW Hospital has been revised in accordance with guidance from CDC and DC Health. The following visitation guidelines are effective March 21, 2023, until further notice:

• General visiting hours are 8 am – 10 pm
• Labor and Delivery
  • COVID-Negative Patient: Three designated adult support people may accompany a birthing person once admitted in labor. They do not need to wait for a negative COVID test. They may come and go.
  • L&D Triage: One support person is permitted.
  • L&D Operating Room: One adult support person is permitted.
  • COVID-Positive Patient: One designated adult support person may accompany a birthing person in labor. If they choose to leave the hospital, they will not be permitted to re-enter.
• Postpartum (Mother/Baby)
  • COVID-Negative Patient: Two adult support people are permitted. Only one may stay overnight.
  • A sibling over the age of 12 may visit postpartum between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. The sibling must be accompanied by an adult support person. The sibling should stay in the postpartum room.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • COVID-Negative Patient: Only those wearing a baby band (two visitors) will have access to the NICU. Both band holders may be at the beside together at one time.
• Surgical Services
  • Pre-Op: One visitor is permitted prior to surgery.
  • Post-Op: Only one visitor can see a post-op patient at bedside at a time.
• All Other Departments
  • COVID-Negative Patients: Two visitors are permitted during visiting hours at a time. We recommend that only children 12 years of age or older visit loved ones in inpatient units.
  • COVID-Positive Patients: No visitors are permitted unless permission has been granted.

Thank you for your assistance with making GW Hospital a safe place for employees, patients and visitors.

Condition Reports

Any personal information about a patient’s diagnosis and treatment must come from the patient’s physician. This information is available only to designated members of the patient’s family or those designated by the patient.

Waiting Areas

There are designated lounge areas for visitors on each patient floor. Specific waiting areas have been designated for families and friends of patients in the critical care units, the Emergency Department and surgery on the first floor.

Out-of-Town Visitors

Accommodations for out-of-town visitors are available at nearby hotels. The hospital has preferred rates with several area hotels.

View a List of Area Hotels

Parking 

Street parking is limited and metered.

Patient and Visitor Parking is available 24 hours—7 days a week in the GW University Science and Engineering Hall Garage at 800 22nd Street, NW. (Entrance is West of 22nd Street on H Street.) Parking validation is not available. Contact University Parking Services at 202-994-PARK

Valet parking is available from 6 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The valet service is located near the front entrance of the hospital at 900 23rd Street, NW.

The cost is a flat rate of $25 per day.

Vehicles must be picked up by 7:30 p.m. Vehicles left in valet after 7:30 p.m. will be available for pick up the next business day.

View parking garages within walking distance to the hospital >

Smoke-Free Environment

Because of the hospital’s interest in good health, and in accordance with local laws, The GW Hospital is a smoke-free environment. For this reason, smoking is prohibited in the hospital, outside our entrances and on our property. This includes electronic cigarettes.

Cafeteria

Located on the Lobby Level, the cafeteria is open seven days a week for service as follows:

Monday - Friday
6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Closed between 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.)

Saturday and Sunday
7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Closed between 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.)

Holiday hours dependent upon holiday.

Starbucks Coffee

Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Subway

Located in the cafeteria. 

Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturday, 7a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sunday, 7 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Holiday hours dependent upon holiday.

Vending

Vending machines are located in the cafeteria, Emergency Room waiting area and visitors’ lounges on the third, fourth and fifth floors.

Visitor Non-Discrimination

GW Hospital does not discriminate against patient visitors. Visitors are those individuals identified by the patient (or his/her representative) as playing a significant role in an individual’s life who have full and equal visitation privileges, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

We recognize that care partners or support persons are individuals identified by the patient as being the closest to provide emotional, spiritual and physical support. This may be a friend, relative or life partner.