Creating the best patient experience is our first priority. From the moment you walk through our doors, we strive to make your experience with us second to none. Whether you are a patient or a visitor, we will do our best to make you comfortable in our welcoming environment. And while you are at Bethesda, our caring staff will be glad to answer your questions or listen to your concerns.
CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a free online service that connects family and friends during a critical illness, treatment or recovery. Patients and caregivers draw strength from loved ones' messages of support.A CaringBridge web site is personal, private and available 24/7. A web site takes just minutes to set up and includes: an online journal to provide updates, a guest book and a photo gallery. CaringBridge® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit web service.
Contacting a patient/cell phone use
All rooms are equipped with a telephone and local calls are free. You may bill long distance calls to your home or credit card, or call collect.
If you'd like to call a hospital patient but don’t know the patient’s phone number, call the hospital operator at 651-232-2000, and your call will be transferred. If you know the patient’s phone number, you can call his/her room directly any time. We suggest calling between 7 am and 10 pm to allow the patient to rest and keep sleep disturbances to a minimum.
For the safety of our patients, cell phones can only be used in designated areas of the hospital. These areas include the lobby level, the Gallery Café and all visitor lounges.
Email a patient at Bethesda
Let a friend or family member know you are thinking of them. Well Wishes is a free service that lets you send personal email messages to patients at Bethesda Hospital.A volunteer will print and deliver your email greeting. (With this in mind, please refrain from sending confidential or inappropriate information.) Messages will be hand-delivered to patient rooms daily, except on holidays*. *Messages printed after a patient is discharged cannot be delivered.
Send Well Wishes
Cash machine
An ATM machine is located on C-level in the vending machine area.
Family Recreation Center
Located on the second floor of the hospital near the North Elevators is the Family Recreation Center. The center has a pool table, large screen TV, computer, recliner and a small kitchenette. The Family Recreation Center may be reserved for special family occasions. Contact the Welcome Center at 651-232-2228.
Financial counselor
Bethesda’s financial counselor is available to answer questions about insurance coverage. To speak with a counselor, call 651-232-2017 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Financial social worker
Bethesda's financial social worker is available to answer questions about Medical Assistance eligibility and Social Security Disability eligibility. To speak to the financial social worker, call 651-232-2713 between 8 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
History and Resource Center
The History and Resource Center is located in the first floor lobby. There are photographs, artifacts and displays that show Bethesda Hospital serving the St. Paul community for more than 125 years. In addition, there are computers and videos for family and visitors to use.
Mail can be dropped at the mailbox located on C-level past the cafeteria, or at the mail floor Welcome Center.
Contact Bethesda Hospital
651-232-2000 - Switchboard
651-232-2760 - Admissions
Looking for more information on our programs?
Request program info
Patient Advocates
Contact us with questions or concerns.If you have questions, please speak to the clinical director of your program. If the clinical director has not satisfied your concerns, call our Patient and Family Advocate at 651-232-2013.
Online Bill Pay
Life just got a bit easier!Our Online Business Office is simple, secure and available to you anytime you need to pay hospital and outpatient services bills.
Billing questions? Call 651-232-1100.
Pay a bill
Pet visits
At Bethesda, we understand the bond between owner and pet. We have created guidelines that will allow you to safely have visits with your pet while you are a patient at Bethesda. Please check at the nurses' station for a copy of the guidelines before you bring the pet to the hospital.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies near Bethesda include:
- Walgreens
1550 University Ave., St. Paul
651-646-6163
- Target Pharmacy
1300 University Ave., St. Paul
651-646-8002
- Cub Pharmacy
1440 University Ave., St. Paul
651-646-8858
Public restrooms
Restrooms are located on the first floor, C-level, B-level, second floor and sixth floor.
Smoking
Bethesda Hospital is a smoke-free environment.
Taxi and Metro Transit services
- Diamond Cab
651-642-1188
- Yellow Cab
651-222-4433
- City-Wide Cab
651-489-1111
- Metro Transit bus & light rail
612-373-3333
Bethesda Video Tour: Brittany's Story
Bethesda is a long-term acute-care hospital. Patients that come here have a serious injury or illness. Sometimes they have several medical conditions, such as complications from surgery or like Brittany, they’re in a coma.
Watch this video to tour the campus and learn more about the services and care teams at Bethesda Hospital.
Visiting hours
Visits from family and friends play an important role in the care and healing process of hospital patients. We ask that you be respectful of a patient’s need to get appropriate rest during recovery.
For the safety of our patients and staff, outside entrances are secured at 8 pm; Security staff members will assist you in entering the building after that time.
The Brain Injury Service units (4 South and 4 West) have group treatment times. Visitors are asked to avoid these times so that confidentiality can be preserved.
No children under the age of 16 are allowed on 2 South and 4 West; we are happy to make accommodations for children under age 16 to visit in another area of the hospital on a pre-arranged basis. Patient safety and a patient’s clinical status are the key reasons for this practice.
Visitor Guidelines & Illness
Year-round we’re acting to reduce the spread of illnesses by emphasizing our visitor policy throughout HealthEast hospitals and clinics.
If you are sick—for example, if you have a fever, cough, flu-like illness, diarrhea or are vomiting—please delay visiting until you’re well.
Equal visitation
At HealthEast, visitation is not restricted, limited or denied based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Our policies give the same visiting rights and responsibilities to all patients and their partners, spouses, significant others and families. These policies reflect standards set by The Joint Commission, a nationwide organization that works with hospitals to ensure they meet a wide range of requirements in areas including patient rights and safety, quality of care and more.
Welcome Center
Our Welcome Center is located on the first floor near the main entrance. The number is 651-232-2228. An information phone is also available by the skyway entrance.
Wireless Internet
Bethesda offers wireless Internet access. Please note that Bethesda cannot guarantee the security of information sent over the wireless network. Also, web sites considered inappropriate will be blocked.
HealthEast Patient Bill of Rights
At HealthEast, we believe it is important to know your rights as a hospital patient.We adhere to the Federal Patient Bill of Rights as well as the Minnesota Patients' Bill of Rights. The Minnesota Patients' Bill of Rights is also available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Russian and Laotian.
Billing & insurance information
Billing questions, insurance coverage, medical assistance, financial aid and more.Medical bills are often unplanned and can be difficult to understand. If you have questions about your bill, call our billing department at 651-232-1100 or contact us online.