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Getting Started

We hope this page provides information that helps make your visit to the NIH Clinical Center as smooth as possible. Visit Welcome to Our Patients and Their Visitors for additional useful information.

This phone directory provides phones numbers for:

  • Patient Service Contacts
  • Amenities Contacts
  • Health & Access Quick Links
  • Outpatient Clinic Contacts

Want to know more about participating in clinical studies?

Professional nurses answer questions and provide information regarding the Clinical Center's clinical research trials and associated topics. Both the general public and practicing physicians may contact the appropriate staff person for details on specific research studies and the criteria for patient referral.

 

Edmund J. Safra Lodge building

The Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge at NIH offers a home-like place of respite for families and loved ones of adult patients who are receiving care at the NIH Clinical Center, the nation's premier clinical research hospital. Patients from across the nation and throughout the world visit NIH to participate as partners in medical discovery. The Safra Lodge offers overnight accommodations for families and caregivers to be nearby when their loved ones undergo evaluation and intensive medical treatment.

NIH Clinical Center does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes or services. The list of Hotels in the Surrounding Area is provided for patients' convenience.

Masks required Nov 4

Effective Monday, Nov. 4 2024, the NIH Clinical Center will resume masking in all patient care areas. Visit the New Masking Policy page for more information.

A partir del lunes, 4 de noviembre de 2024 el Centro Clínico de los NIH volverá a requerir el uso de mascarillas en todas las áreas de atención al paciente. Visita política de mascarillas para más información.

Additional information is available for NIH staff.

Get the latest COVID-19 research information from NIH.

 

Patient Handbook cover

The information provided in the Patient Handbook will help you prepare for admission. Look here for answers to some questions you may have about your hospital stay and for information about the practical aspects of your visit, including visiting hours and support services. Some unique features of the Clinical Center are described so that you will have a better picture of a patient's daily routine here at the largest clinical research hospital in the world.

 

Top left: physician and patient talking. Top right: medical professional with headset at computer. Bottom right: keyboard with one key marked GET PAID. Bottom left: doctor speaking to a diverse group.

The Office of Patient Recruitment serves to educate the public about clinical trial participation at the NIH Clinical Center. Our mission is to support the research performed at the Clinical Center by coordinating the referral process as the primary point of contact between those seeking to volunteer in clinical studies and the researchers conducting them. Our Information Specialists are available Monday thru Friday to help you find a trial in which you can participate.

Call the Office of Patient Recruitment at 800-411-1222 to speak with one of our Information Specialists. Or email at ccopr@nih.gov.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

Se habla español.

Service animals are welcome at and may accompany patients and visitors to the Clinical Center. The term "service animal" is used to include any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work and perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Review all the Service Animal Guidelines for Inpatients.

 

North Entrance

Welcome to the National Institutes of Health campus and the NIH Clinical Center (Bldg. 10) located in Bethesda, MD.

Thank you for agreeing to participate in clinical research. Welcome to Our Patients and Their Visitors provides advice on what our patients should bring with them and they should NOT bring with them to the Clinical Center as well as other helpful hints for their stay.