Patients & Visitors

Patient Information

Availability of Language Assistance Services

Washington Hospital offers free interpreter services to our patients, including video-remote interpreters in American Sign Language. If your English is limited or you are speech or hearing impaired, please ask your doctor, nurse or other staff member to arrange for interpreter services at no cost to you. If you have a question or a concern regarding these services, please contact the Compliance Department at 510.818.7400.

Visitor’s Guide to Washington Hospital

Temporary Visitor Restrictions

At Washington Hospital, we recognize that family and friends are critically important to patient healing. However, to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections, we have revised our visitation policy.

Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Visitors are required to show a government-issued photo ID (current school-issued identification accepted) prior to entry.

Effective Wednesday, March 23, 2022, there are additional changes to our Hospital visitation requirements.

For everyone’s safety, proof of a COVID-19 booster or negative COVID test (specimen collected within 72 hours of each visit) is required to visit a patient. Please note that home test kits/self-test kits are not accepted. All visitors must also be free of COVID symptoms.

The following applies to anyone NOT eligible for the COVID booster:

• Fully vaccinated visitors who are not eligible for the booster because it is less than 5 months after the second dose in a two-shot series of Pfizer or Moderna, or less than 2 months after the J&J vaccine, are required to show proof of a negative COVID test - with specimen collected within 72 hours of each visit.
• Fully vaccinated individuals not eligible for the booster due to a recent history of COVID are required to show proof of a negative COVID test with specimen collected within 72 hours of each visit. Documentation of recovery and clearance from isolation may be provided in lieu of testing.

Patients negative for COVID-19 admitted to Washington Hospital are allowed two visitors per day. All visitors must be 16 years or older, and minors (16 and 17 year olds) must be accompanied by an adult. All visitors must remain masked at all times.Visitors, therefore, are no longer permitted to consume food or drink while in patient rooms. Exceptions to the policy are determined by the patient’s care team and include support persons, parents of newborn and pediatric patients, who have received approval for rooming overnight.

Emergency Department: One support person is allowed to accompany all patients negative for COVID-19 and those not suspicious for COVID-19 into the Emergency Department. Exceptions may apply based on the patient’s clinical condition.

For technology options to help facilitate communication with patients in the Hospital, please call our Service Desk at 510.818.7099

Self-Screening Prior to Entry

Everyone entering any Hospital building or clinic is required to self-screen for symptoms prior to entering. This means that every patient, visitor, employee, physician and volunteer must pass the self-screening process prior to entry.

Additionally, we still require that you sanitize your hands before you enter. Hand sanitizer is conveniently available at all entrances and throughout our buildings and clinics.

Masks are required in health care settings

For your safety and that of all patients and their loved ones – as well as our employees, physicians and volunteers – we remind you that face coverings continue to be required in health care settings. This includes all Washington Hospital Healthcare System buildings and clinics. And wearing a mask applies to everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated and have a booster. The CDC, the State Health Department, and our infectious disease experts agree that masking in the health care setting is a best practice. Please wear the hospital-issued mask that is available at our building and clinic entrances.

Other important information

• The entire Washington Hospital campus (including parking lots and all related health care entities) are tobacco- and smoke/vape–free zones. The use of any tobacco products -- smoking, vaping or chewing of tobacco, or any other substance such as marijuana cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, and cigars -- is strictly prohibited.
• For everyone's safety, we have implemented security measures that include:
  • All personal items, such as backpacks, purses and totes, are subject to search; we appreciate your cooperation with the security person outside the Main Hospital lobby
  • Everyone must check in at the front desk
  • Valid ID must be presented by each person and a visitor badge with their name and photo will be issued before leaving the Hospital main lobby; visible visitor badges must be worn at all times while in the Hospital
  • An ID must be shown every day to receive a visitor’s badge

Consideration for the comfort and safety of our patients is our first priority. Nursing staff, in collaboration with the patient, may alter visiting hours and regulations at their discretion, as warranted by the patient’s condition, family circumstances and environment. It is understood that visitors may be asked to leave if their presence is stressful to the patient or in conflict with the treatment plan.