Medical Staff
Your attending physician is primarily responsible for your care. All tests, medications, and consultations with other specialists are performed or administered under your attending physician’s supervision. If you are not already under the care of a physician affiliated with The George Washington University Hospital, a physician will be assigned to you.

As a teaching facility of the GWU Medical School, GW Hospital also has outstanding medical personnel in training who rotate through the various services of the hospital where they render care and learn from expert members of the hospital staff. Being in a teaching hospital has many advantages for patients. Our facility is devoted to understanding and applying the best of current scientific knowledge to patient care. The presence of many people in training means that patients’ needs receive closer, more comprehensive attention. Those who may visit you include: fellows, residents, interns, medical students, physician assistant students and nursing students. Please cooperate with their requests for information and with any physical exams they may perform. If you have questions about their roles or their quality of care, please discuss this with your nurse or attending physician.

Nursing Staff
Our nursing staff is committed to providing comprehensive care for patients, each requiring different levels of personalized attention and expert skills. You will be assigned a registered nurse who will coordinate a thorough nursing assessment, plan of care and continuous monitoring of your health status throughout your hospitalization. Other caregivers, under the direction of the registered nurse, will be assigned to care for you. A Nurse Manager is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit. Please feel free to contact your nurse or the Nurse Manager if you have questions or concerns.

Dietitians
The hospital maintains a staff of full-time registered dietitians to provide nutrition assessments and recommendations during your hospital stay. A dietitian may visit you, shortly after admission, to discuss your nutritional needs and advise you on making healthy food choices from our Room Service dining program.

Case Managers
Case Managers are assigned to each patient care area and are trained to help patients and family members or friends deal with financial, social and emotional problems that relate to illness or  hospitalization. Members of the department work with you and your family or friends regarding concerns related to your illness and they are involved in discharge planning. To speak with a case manager call (202) 715-4165 during business hours.

Housekeepers
A member of the housekeeping staff cleans your room daily. Please inform your nurses if you have an immediate housekeeping need.

Spiritual Care
While you are in the hospital it may be helpful to have someone with whom you can share your emotional and spiritual concerns. Your priest, minister or rabbi is always welcome to visit you while you are here. Also, the hospital has several volunteer clergy and specially trained laypersons from the community who can be contacted at your request. For assistance, please contact the Spiritual Care Department at (202) 715-5329.

Volunteers
Volunteers contribute many hours of service as well as financial assistance to the hospital. They supplement the services of the hospital staff in many ways including delivering books and magazines to you from the volunteer library, delivering your purchases from the gift shop or accompanying you to the interfaith chapel. If you need a volunteer’s help or know of a patient who may appreciate a friendly visit, call (202) 715-5310 during business hours.

Rehabilitation Services
Patients in medical or surgical units often can benefit from interdisciplinary approaches to treatment. Rehabilitation professionals can provide many therapy options. The George Washington University Hospital offers a range of rehabilitation treatments and services including: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology and a hand therapy program. Our clinical expertise and core values of compassion and respect demonstrate our firm commitment to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. For more information on GW Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services, please contact (202) 715-5655.

Other Personnel
During your stay you may be visited by other healthcare professionals, including technicians, technologists and therapists. Also, The George Washington University Hospital family includes many behind-the-scenes workers, such as accountants, engineers, secretaries, food service workers and others who contribute greatly toward your well-being while you are here.