Patient and Visitor FAQs

Can family members accompany patients inside the Emergency Department?

Patient- and family-centered care is important to us. Because of space limitations, there may be times when we can only accommodate one family member (or other support person) at a time to accompany a patient inside the patient care area.

Where should family members and other visitors park?

Visitors have a variety of options for parking.

Where is the Emergency Department?

The Emergency Department is located at 75 Francis Street (Boston, MA 02115). The waiting area is accessible through an outside entrance as well as through the main lobby entrance. If entering through the lobby, take a right at the information desk and you will see the Emergency Department entrance straight ahead.

Is cell phone use allowed in the Emergency Department?

Cell phone use is allowed in certain areas of the Emergency Department. We ask, however, that cell phone users be sensitive to the needs of patients and staff.

What are the visiting hours for patients who are in the Observation Unit?

Because of space limitations, two visitors may be with a patient in the observation unit between the hours of 7am and 10pm. 

What are the dining options for visitors?

There are several convenient dining options for visitors. Learn more about amenities at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, including dining options.

Are there any overnight accommodations close to the hospital?

View our listing of local hotel and guest accommodations.

Do you provide support for patients and family members who don’t speak English?

BWH has the ability to provide an interpreter for almost any language or for hearing impaired patients at any time of day. Our interpreters are specially trained to interpret in medical situations.

Will my primary care physician be notified about my visit?

We make every effort to communicate with your personal physician during your visit, and some health plans require us to notify them of your visit.

How long will I wait before being treated?

We recently developed and implemented a new patient- and family-centered emergency medicine model that is designed to get patients into an ED bed more quickly and provide other advantages to the traditional emergency care model.