Preparing for an inpatient stay at a psychiatric facility can be overwhelming, especially when admission is unexpected. Uncertainty about allowed belongings often adds to the stress. Understanding the facility’s guidelines for personal items ensures a smoother intake process and promotes focus on treatment. This guidance clarifies what items are generally necessary for a comfortable stay and which are restricted for safety purposes.
Essential Paperwork and Identification
The most immediate need upon arrival is documentation confirming identity and providing relevant medical history. Official photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID, is necessary for the admissions process. Insurance cards, including medical and prescription coverage details, are also required to establish billing and coverage for the stay.
It is recommended to bring a written, up-to-date list of all current prescription medications, dosages, and the names of prescribing physicians. This comprehensive list assists the hospital pharmacy and medical team in continuing appropriate care, as medications from home will be stored and not administered by the patient. Having contact information for family members, primary care, and specialty providers can further streamline communication during the stay.
Approved Personal Items and Comfort
Clothing brought to the unit should prioritize comfort, as the environment is casual and focused on healing. Patients typically need three to four days’ worth of casual, loose-fitting attire, which can be laundered on the unit. Layering is recommended due to varying hospital temperatures, so a simple jacket or sweater without a hood drawstring is advisable.
All clothing must be non-restrictive and free of cords, strings, or long ties that pose a safety hazard. This includes avoiding pants with drawstrings, shirts with hood cords, and bras containing underwires, as these are routinely confiscated. Footwear should consist of comfortable, slip-on shoes or slippers, since shoelaces are often removed upon admission due to ligature risk.
For personal hygiene, patients are allowed to bring their own toiletries, provided they adhere to strict safety standards. All products must be in plastic containers, as glass items are prohibited. Additionally, any product containing alcohol as one of the first few ingredients will be confiscated, which often includes hand sanitizers and mouthwashes.
Comfort items can significantly improve the experience but must be screened for safety. Paperback books and softcover journals are permitted, offering distraction and an emotional outlet. Hardcover books, spiral notebooks, and items with metal components are banned. If bringing photos, they must be unframed or placed in frames without glass.
Strictly Prohibited Items and Safety Restrictions
Restrictions on personal belongings mitigate the risk of self-harm and violence, ensuring a safe therapeutic environment for all patients and staff. The most common banned items relate to sharps and breakable materials.
Sharps and Breakable Materials
These items represent an immediate danger and are considered contraband.
- Metal nail files
- Razors
- Scissors
- Any object made of glass
A primary safety concern is ligature risk—the use of an item to hang or strangle. Items that can be fashioned into a cord or anchor point are strictly prohibited. This includes belts, scarves, shoelaces, drawstrings, and electrical cords not permanently attached to a device.
Electronics and Distractions
Electronics are prohibited on the unit to protect patient privacy and minimize distractions from treatment. Cell phones, laptops, tablets, and any device with recording or internet capabilities are not allowed. Though these devices are valuable, they must be stored away from the unit during the stay. Other prohibited items include lighters, matches, illegal substances, and any outside food or beverages.
Handling Valuables and Intake Procedures
Upon arrival, all personal belongings are subject to a thorough search and screening process by staff to ensure no prohibited items enter the unit. This inventory process documents every item a patient brings, noting which are permitted and which must be stored. This standard procedure helps manage expectations regarding security.
Valuables such as wallets, large amounts of cash, credit cards, and jewelry are discouraged and will be securely stored away. Patients will not need money for most daily activities, though some facilities may permit a small amount of cash, such as $20, for vending machine access. These items are placed in a locked area, often with hospital security, and returned upon discharge.
If a patient arrives without approved clothing or toiletries, the facility will provide necessary replacements. Hospital scrubs or gowns are available, and basic hygiene supplies like soap, shampoo, and toothbrushes are supplied by the unit. This ensures that care is not delayed and that the patient’s immediate comfort and safety needs are met.