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For Patients
Please select from the choices above to find appropriate patient information. Additional information is provided below. If you have any questions, please call us at 301.896.3100. To review or print a layout of the hospital building, please click here.
Customer Relations
The Office of Customer Relations is a direct link to the Administrative Office of Suburban Hospital. Our Customer Relations Liaison is available to answer questions or address any comments you would like to share. Please call us at 301.896.2000. You may also write to Suburban Hospital, Office of Customer Relations, ATTN: Customer Relations Liaison, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.You may also submit your feedback online by clicking here.
Universal Precautions
The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that hospitals institute "Universal Precautions" for the protection of patients and staff against transmission of communicable diseases. These precautions involve the use of protective equipment by the staff when handling blood and body fluids during the care of all patients. You may notice our staff wearing some protective apparel, depending on the type of care being given to you. We want you to know that this is part of our routine and to feel comfortable that these protective measures are being followed.
Patient Education
We believe patient and families should participate in all areas of the patient's healthcare. To assist you with this, the Medical Library, located on the first floor, is available for your use. Also, Channel 3 has various programs to educate patients regarding healthcare issues. For the hearing impaired, the closed caption channel is channel 4. Of course, consult your physician with any questions or concerns. For information about the Speak Up program and brochures on patients taking an active role in their healthcare, click here.
Physician Referral Services
PhysicianMatch is the free information and referral service of Suburban Hospital. Please call for 301.896.3939 for physician referral in Montgomery County and upper Northwest DC, including appointment scheduling. PhysicianMatch is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To search our online directory of physicians, click here.
Advance Directives
As a competent adult, you have the right to make important decisions about many aspects of your healthcare. In the event that you ever lose the ability to make decisions for yourself, an advance directive, in the form of a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare, can ensure that your wishes are honored. A member of the nursing team will ask if you have an advance directive document. Copies of the Advance Directives Guide can be obtained from your nurse or by clicking here. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please consult your doctor or nurse.
Translation Services
Every patient has a right to have medical information about their care translated into a language they understand. Suburban Hospital provides translation services in any language via a specially designed phone interpretation service. The system allows a conversation to be translated by a certified medical interpreter via a three-way phone. The interpreter can identify the language needed for translation and provide the interpretation. For more information about the system, visitors or patients can ask any nurse on the patient care unit.
Directory Information
Federal law allows disclosure of a limited amount of patient directory information with your consent. This information includes your room number, the telephone number to your room and your general condition (good, fair, serious or critical). If you do not want anyone to know this information (including family and friends), you will be listed as “confidential” in the Suburban Hospital patient directory system. Please note that as a confidential patient, you will not receive telephone calls, visitors, flowers, or chaplaincy services. Please inform the Scheduling & Registration coordinator or your nurse of your preference.
Release of Medical Records
Patient records at Suburban Hospital are confidential. However, patients or their representatives with legal power of attorney can authorize the release of confidential patient information by completing a signed Release Form and returning it to our Medical Records office. The form should be filled out completely and dated. It can be mailed or faxed to our Medical Records staff, who are available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The address is 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814; the fax is 301.896.7352. If you have any questions about how to request a patient's records, please call 301.896.3777.
Ethics Committee
Suburban Hospital has an Ethics Committee designed to help patients, families, employees, and physicians deal with ethical concerns or other patient care decisions. The committee consists of specially trained, objective representatives of the medical staff, hospital staff, and the community. A patient or family member may request a consultation at any time by notifying the patient’s nurse or by calling Outcomes Management at x3030. For more information, click here.
Personal Medications
Patients should bring an accurate list of all medications they are currently taking at home, including those prescribed by their physician and any over-the-counter or herbal/alternative medications. During your hospital stay, all medications must be ordered by your physician and coordinated and administered by your nursing and pharmacy team. Personal medications will only used in specific situations when the medication is either not available in the hospital or there is not an acceptable alternative substitute approved by your physician and the hospital pharmacy. If it is determined that your personal medications will be used during your stay, they will be ordered by your physician, identified and labeled by a Suburban pharmacist, and administered by your nurse. Personal medications that will not be used in the hospital should be sent home with a family member or friend. Should you have any questions about your medications, please contact your nurse or ask to speak to a pharmacist.
To help our patients and their family members organize this important health information, Suburban Hospital offers My Medical Information Card, a convenient 5x7 card to record all of your current medications, medical history, and important contact information. To print a copy of the card, click here. This card is designed to be kep with your identification cards, such as a driver's license. If an emergency arises and you are unable to communicate with medical staff, this form will help facilitate proper care.
Privacy Notice
All patients will receive a copy of the hospital’s privacy notice based on Federal HIPAA regulations. The Privacy Notice is also posted in various locations throughout the facility. For more information about our Privacy Practices, click here.
Fire Drills/Emergencies
Suburban Hospital routinely conducts fire and disaster drills. If a drill or true emergency occurs during your stay, please do not become alarmed. All members of the hospital staff are highly trained to assist patients and visitors in the event of an emergency. In the event of a disaster or heightened security alert, visitors may be asked (via overhead announcement) to vacate the building. For evacuation routes, please follow staff directions and lighted exit signs throughout the facility.
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Infection Control & Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires that hospitals institute “Standard Precautions” for the protection of patients and staff against transmission of communicable diseases. These precautions involve the use of protective equipment by the staff when handling blood and body fluids during the care of all patients. During your care, you may notice our staff wearing some protective apparel, such as gloves, masks, and gowns. Please recognize that this is part of our routine and feel confident that all necessary protective measures are being followed. Your nurse and physician are available to answer questions about your care and the reason they are wearing protective apparel.
Parking
All patients and visitors have access to the hospital's paid parking lot and garages. Upon entering, patients and visitors will receive parking tickets with a stamped time. You will be charged for time that your car is on campus between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend parking is free. Valet parking is also available for a fee.
Smoking
In order to promote health, control the practice of smoking where it presents a health or fire hazard to patients, employees or the general public, and to comply with Maryland State Law, smoking is not permitted in any area of the hospital. As of November 15, 2007, Suburban Hospital joined all Montgomery County hospitals and Frederick Memorial Hospital in making our campuses tobacco-free, meaning that tobacco use is not permitted inside Suburban Hospital buildings, on our parking lots, or anywhere on or around the facility grounds.
Since we opened our doors more than 60 years ago, Suburban Hospital has been dedicated to improving the health of those we serve and creating a supportive workplace where our staff can be successful. Going tobacco-free is another way we live out these goals and promote a healthy environment for all of our patients, visitors, volunteers, physicians, contract staff, and employees.
Valuables
Patients are requested to leave all valuables at home. If you do bring valuables with you, Admissions or Nursing staff will register the items and deposit them in the hospital safe. Your nurse can arrange to retrieve valuables during your stay.
Lost and Found
The hospital's Lost and Found is managed by our Security Department. For information or to make a claim, call x2500.
Electrical Appliances
Battery-operated radios, tape players, shavers, and other appliances may be used. For your safety and that of others, personal plug-in electrical appliances may not be used in the hospital until they are inspected by Engineering and Maintenance. Please address this with your nurse. Because both AC and battery-operated television sets can interfere with our system's reception, no TV sets may be brought into the hospital.
Telephone/Television
Each patient room is equipped with direct-dial telephone and individual television service. Separate daily fees are applied for both services and generally are not covered by insurance carriers. You may pay for these services upon discharge at the Registration located in the main lobby. If you elect not to pay for these services upon discharge, the hospital will mail you a bill.
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To make telephone calls within the hospital, simply use the four-digit extension. For free, unlimited local calls, dial 9 for an outside line and then the number you wish to call. Please remember that local calls in Maryland require use of the 301/240 area code (e.g., 9, 301.896.3100). For long distance calls, dial 9, 0, the area code and number. An operator will assist you in selecting billing options (collect or calling card). Reminder: the use of cellular or digital phones is prohibited in many areas of the hospital due to potential interference with our medical equipment.
The Suburban television system provides a range of healthcare education programs as well as standard programming and movie selections for your enjoyment. Please call x8500 to report television-related issues or to request additional functions for your telephone (amplifier, TDD). The lineup includes the following channels.
| NBC | ABC | FOX 5 | CBS | PBS | |
| UPN 20 | Univision | Animal Planet | CNN | TBS | |
| USA Network | Cartoon Network | American Movie Classics | The Learning Channel | ABC Family Channel | |
| The Discovery Channel | Patient Wellness & Educational Program | Patient Information Channel | Hospital Welcome and Information | Suburban Hospital Movie Channel | FOX Sports World |
Services for the Hearing Impaired
Telephone amplifiers and TDD (telephone device for the deaf) are available to the hearing impaired patients free of charge. For information or to make arrangements for these devices, call or ask your nurse to call x8500. Sign language interpreters are also available. Please contact Discharge Planning at x3030 for more information. For your convenience, television channel 4 provides closed captioning.
Telecaptioning Decoders
Telecaptioning decoders, which attach to the television set in your room, are available through the telecommunication department. To make arrangements for the decoder to be attached to your TV set call x8500. There is no charge for the use of the decoder.
Mail is delivered and picked up once a day. A mail basket for outgoing mail is located at each nursing station. A mailbox is located outside the hospital's South Entrance. Books of postage stamps are available in the Gift Shop.