Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

Q:   Where is Doctors Community Hospital located?

A:   Doctors Community Hospital is located at 8118 Good Luck Road in Lanham, Maryland, near the intersection of Good Luck and Princess Garden & Hanover Parkways.  

Q:   Can I take a bus to the hospital?

A:   There is a bus stop located immediately in front of Doctors Community Hospital.  Please call 202-637-7000 to obtain a bus schedule.

Q:   If I need medical attention, but cannot afford to pay for it, what can I do?

A:   We direct patients to our Financial Counselors, who will help you develop a payment plan or help you apply for Medical Assistance.

Patient Information

Q:   What information do I need to bring with me to the Hospital?

A:   You should bring your driver's license (or other comparable photo identification) and your health insurance card each time you are treated at the Hospital.

Q:   Where do I go to donate blood (either for my forthcoming operation or for a sick relative)?

A:   Please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-452-5663 to arrange for a donation locally.  Any blood products can be designated for you or for the Hospital at the time of donation.

Visitor Information

Our Visitor Guide provides directions to our campus and identifies where to find treatment areas, physician offices and other departments on our campus.  The map illustrates floor plans and provides a list of each department's location and telephone number.   You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print the Visitor Guide (click here to download Acrobat reader).

Q:   May I take flowers or gifts to a patient at Doctors Community Hospital?

A:   Gifts are allowed on all units.  Flowers are allowed on all units except Critical Care.  A selection of flowers and gifts is available in our Gift Shoppe, located near the Main Lobby of the Hospital.  Please consider that some patients may be on a special diet.

Q:   When can I visit a patient?

A:   Visiting Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Critical Care Visiting Hours are 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 pm - 9:00 p.m.  Special exceptions can be made for patients in the Emergency Center.

Q:   Are children allowed to visit patients?

A:   We strongly discourage visits from children under the age of 12.  This not only provides a more restful environment for our patients, but also reduces the risk of infection to both visitors and patients.

Q:   How do I contact a patient in the Critical Care Units?

A:   There are telephones in each room of our Critical Care Units.  However, to provide a more restful environment for our patients, these telephones do not receive incoming calls.  If you would like to contact a Critical Care patient, please call the Critical Care Center at 301-552-8205.

Hospital and Physician Phone Numbers

Click on  Contact Us  (or on the tab at the top) for hospital programs and department phone numbers.

Q:   Where do I call to find out the condition of a patient in the Hospital?

A:   Call Patient Information at 301-552-8009 for assistance.

Q:   Where can I find a doctor who admits to Doctors Community Hospital?

A:   Click on Find a Doctor (or on same at left) to find our doctors and their phone numbers.

Q:   Who can I speak with regarding my hospital bill?

A:   Our Billing Office can be reached at 301-552-8093 to answer billing questions.

Medical Records

Q:   How can I get a copy of my medical record?

A:   Requests for copies of a patient's medical record must be made in writing on a HIPAA compliant form which can be printed from our website.  Requests can be mailed or brought to Doctors Community Hospital in person. 

Q:   What is Health Information Services?

A:   This is the name of the department that maintains medical records for our patients.

Q:   What are the hours of operation in the Health Information Services Department? 

A:   The Health Information Services Department is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Department is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Q:   Can I get my lab results over the phone?

A:   In order to ensure patient confidentiality, we do not give lab results over the phone.  With proper identification (photo ID), you may come to the Hospital and pick up lab results or you may request your results be sent to your physician and/or other health care facility.

Cancer Services

Q:   What kinds of support services are available for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer?

A:   Our Women's Health Center is staffed with a Women's Health Specialist who will assist breast cancer patients in coordinating health care.  For more information, call Bobbi Pearson, R.N., at 301-552-8209.

Diagnostic Services

Q:   Where do I schedule diagnostic procedures?

A:    You may call to schedule your diagnostic exam or procedure, after receiving a written order or referral from your physician.  Please call our staff at the following numbers:

• Radiology (X-Ray, Nuclear Medicine, CT Scans, MRIs, Ultrasound, Angiography and Mammography):  301-552-8513
• Pulmonary Procedures:  301-552-8076
• Cardiac Catheterization:  301-552-8022

Q:   What do I need to do or take on the day of my exam?

A:  You will be provided with specific instructions when you schedule your exam.

Q:   Why does it appear that patients are taken for their exams or testing out of their arrival sequence?

A:  Many patients are having procedures using different technology.  Each service schedules patients independently.  Occasionally, delays may occur because emergencies may take priority over scheduled appointments.  Please allow for some extra time in the event of an emergency delay.

Q:  How can I get copies of my X-ray films for a doctor's appointment?

A:  To get copies of your X-rays, call the Radiology Department at 301-552-8513 at least 24 hours prior to the date you would like to pick up the films.  When this is not possible, we will do our best to meet your needs. 

Emergency Services

Q:  Is the fee for the Emergency Center doctor included in the Hospital's charges?

A:  Emergency Physicians bill separately from the Hospital.  You can expect to receive a separate bill from the hospital and from any physicians treating you.

Q:   When should I use the Emergency Center?

A:   You should use the Emergency Center when you cannot reach your primary care physician and you require immediate attention, or if your illness or injury is life threatening.

Rehabilitation Services

Q:   Where do patients receive Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and/or Speech-Language Therapy?

A:   Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy are offered for Inpatients and Outpatients at Doctors Community Hospital.  Appointments with Physical Therapy can be scheduled by calling 301-552-8507.  Occupational and Speech Therapy patients may call 301-552-8134 to schedule an appointment.

Surgical Services

Q:  Where would I go for outpatient surgery at Doctors Community Hospital?

A:   Outpatient surgery is scheduled in our Doctors Center for Ambulatory Surgery, which is located in the building directly behind the hospital.  For information call 301-552-8880.

Q:   Are there any forms I can fill out ahead of time?

A:  When the procedure is scheduled, a packet of information and forms will be sent to the patient's home.

Q:  What happens if I am undergoing a scheduled Total Hip or Total Knee Replacement?

A:   Our Joint, Spine and Rheumatology Center employs an Orthopedic Specialist who will assist you in developing a plan of care.  Andrie Rovenolt can assist you at 301-552-8201.

Q:   Do I need an appointment for pre-surgical testing?

A:  Depending on the type of surgical procedure you are having, there may be pre-surgical tests required.  Our Pre-Surgical Testing Department can be reached at 301-552-8504.

Q:   Where do I go to donate blood (either for my forthcoming operation or for a sick relative)?

A:   Call the local American Red Cross at 1-800-452-5663.  Any donations can be designated for you or for the Hospital at the time of giving.

Careers

Q:   Where is the Human Resources Office located?

A:   The Human Resources Office is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Office Building, which is located directly behind the hospital.  Human Resources can be reached at 301-552-8080.  

Q:   How can I find out what positions are currently available?

A:   A complete list of job openings is available in the Career Opportunities  section of this web site.  Please see the button to the left.  If you would like to hear a list of available positions, call 301-552-8000.  Our Nurse Recruiter is available at 301-552-8089.

Q:   When is the Human Resources Department open?

A:   The Human Resources Department is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  On Tuesday the department is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Q:   How do I apply for a job at Doctors Community Hospital?

A:  An application for employment must be completed.  You can email the application from the Career Opportunities section of this web site or pick up a paper copy from the Human Resources Department.  The completed application can be mailed or faxed back to the Human Resources Department at fax #:  301-552-3355.  

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