Inpatient psychiatric facilities operate within a highly structured environment where patient safety is the primary concern. These units maintain strict regulations governing personal belongings to minimize the risk of self-harm, harm to others, or the introduction of contraband. Rules for what you can bring vary significantly based on the specific hospital, the type of unit, and local regulations. Understanding these policies before arrival helps streamline the admission process and ensures a smoother transition into treatment.
Essential Paperwork and Prescriptions
You should prepare a small folder containing administrative and medical necessities before seeking admission. A government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required for verification. You must also bring your insurance card, as this is necessary for the facility to process your admission and billing.
It is helpful to have a written list of emergency contacts, including names, phone numbers, and addresses. A comprehensive, up-to-date list of all current medications is also required, detailing the exact drug name, dosage, and frequency of use. All prescription and over-the-counter medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements, must be immediately surrendered to the nursing staff upon arrival. Patients are not permitted to keep any medications at the bedside; all doses will be dispensed and monitored by hospital personnel.
Items That Are Strictly Prohibited
The most stringent restrictions target items that can be used as ligatures or weapons. This includes clothing accessories like belts, scarves, and shoelaces, which will be removed immediately upon intake. Items with long wires or cords, such as phone chargers, headphones, and electronic devices, are also banned to prevent their use as restraints or weapons.
Many everyday grooming items are prohibited due to the risk of sharp edges or dangerous ingredients. This includes razors, nail clippers, tweezers, and anything made of glass, such as perfume or cologne bottles. Products containing alcohol, like certain mouthwashes, hand sanitizers, or aerosol sprays, are also forbidden as they can be misused. Furthermore, objects that can be easily broken to create a sharp point, such as spiral notebooks, metal pens, and small metal hair accessories like bobby pins, are considered contraband. Staff are trained to conduct thorough searches of all belongings.
Permissible Clothing and Personal Items
Your focus should be on bringing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. Loose-fitting garments such as sweatpants, t-shirts, and elastic-waist bottoms are highly recommended. All clothing must be free of drawstrings, cords, excessive metal hardware, or potentially offensive graphics or slogans.
Bringing layers is a practical choice, as temperatures on the unit can vary, but ensure any jackets or sweatshirts are hoodless and stringless. Footwear should consist of slip-on shoes or sneakers without laces, or non-skid slippers, to comply with ligature restrictions. You may bring approved toiletries, provided they are in plastic containers and contain no alcohol or aerosol propellants.
A toothbrush, toothpaste, and a plastic hairbrush are generally permitted. For personal comfort and activities, many facilities allow softcover books, magazines, or coloring books. Journals or notebooks should also be softcover, as metal spirals are prohibited for safety reasons. Writing implements are typically limited to flexible plastic pens or small golf pencils. Any item intended for entertainment or comfort will be inspected and must receive staff approval before being allowed onto the unit.
The Intake Process: Managing Items Upon Arrival
The admission process begins with an inventory of all the belongings you bring into the facility. A staff member will examine and document every item in your possession. This step involves a security search, often using a metal detector, and a visual inspection of all clothing, bags, and personal items.
Any prohibited items, including electronics, keys, wallets, excessive cash, and jewelry, will be confiscated and placed into secure, locked storage. These items are typically returned to you or a designated family member upon discharge. To simplify this process, it is advisable to arrive with only a small bag containing the bare minimum of essentials.