What to bring for a hospital stay
What to bring for a hospital stay
Packing before a hospital stay can make check-in easier and help the care team understand your needs. Bring the essentials first: identification, insurance information, your current medication list, mobility or communication aids, glasses, hearing aids, and any documents the hospital asked you to complete.
Alchemilla Hospital general medical units usually allow more personal comfort items than Brookhaven Hospital behavioral health units. If your stay is planned, review Prepare for a planned hospital admission before you pack. If you are being admitted after emergency care, review what to expect if you are admitted to the hospital.
Important: Pack essential medical devices first, including glasses, hearing aids, dentures, CPAP equipment, mobility aids, or communication devices. Tell your nurse about anything you use every day.
Identification and insurance
Bring a photo ID and all current insurance or coverage cards. Admissions staff use this information to confirm your identity, connect the visit to your chart, and process registration details.
- Photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other accepted identification.
- Insurance, coverage, prescription, or secondary coverage cards.
- Admission time, arrival location, department name, or procedure instructions.
- Any pre-registration confirmation or paperwork Silent Hill Health sent before your stay.
Medications
Bring a current medication list with names, doses, schedules, and the reason you take each medication if you know it. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, injections, inhalers, patches, creams, and eye drops.
If staff ask you to bring medication bottles, keep them in their original labeled containers and give them to the nurse during admission. Do not take your own medications during the hospital stay unless staff specifically approve it.
Tell the care team about allergies, medication reactions, recent dose changes, missed doses, and any medications you stopped recently. This helps the team avoid duplicate doses or unsafe combinations.
Important documents
Bring documents that help the care team understand your needs, preferences, and current care plan. Keep them together in a folder or envelope so they are easy to find at registration.
- Medication list and allergy list.
- Emergency contacts and authorized contacts.
- Advance directive, living will, care preference document, or decision-maker paperwork if available.
- Recent discharge paperwork, test results, imaging instructions, specialist notes, or outside records if the care team requested them.
- Any hospital forms, consent forms, or pre-visit instructions you were asked to complete.
If a caregiver or family member needs to receive updates, review Get updates about a hospitalized family member before arrival.
Personal items and devices
Bring items you use every day to communicate, move safely, see, hear, sleep, or complete personal care. Label important items when possible.
Daily-use items to consider
- Glasses, contact lenses, contact solution, and protective cases.
- Hearing aids, batteries, chargers, and storage cases.
- Dentures, retainers, mouth guards, or other dental appliances with a case.
- Cane, walker, wheelchair, brace, prosthetic, or other mobility aid.
- CPAP, approved home medical equipment, or communication devices.
- Phone and charger, if the unit allows personal electronics.
Personal electronics may be limited in some care areas. Brookhaven restricts phones, tablets, cameras, and recording devices in patient areas.
Clothing and comfort
Choose clothing that is loose, comfortable, easy to put on, and appropriate for the unit. Hospital gowns are available, but many patients prefer their own clothing when allowed.
- Comfortable pajamas, sweatpants, shirts, robe, underwear, and socks.
- Non-skid slippers or supportive shoes for walking with staff approval.
- Small toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, brush, lip balm, and approved skin-care items.
- A book, puzzle, or other quiet activity if the unit allows it.
- A small comfort item, such as a photo or blanket, if approved by staff.
Ask before bringing food, drinks, blankets, pillows, flowers, balloons, or items with fragrance. Some units restrict these items because of patient safety, allergies, infection precautions, or room space.
Valuables and restricted items
Leave valuables at home or with a trusted person. Bring only a small amount of cash if needed. If you arrive with valuables, ask staff about safekeeping options instead of keeping them loose in the room.
Do not bring weapons, alcohol, non-prescribed substances, tobacco or vaping items, lighters, loose pills, sharp objects, or anything staff identify as unsafe. These items can delay admission and may be held by security or returned to a support person.
Review hospital visitor guidelines if a family member or caregiver plans to bring items after you arrive.
Brookhaven restrictions
Brookhaven Hospital uses stricter belongings rules to keep the behavioral health unit calm and safe. Staff will review clothing, toiletries, comfort items, medications, and personal belongings during intake. Items may be returned to a support person, stored by staff, or held until discharge.
- Avoid clothing with drawstrings, belts, cords, metal decorations, or loose parts.
- Do not bring phones, tablets, cameras, smartwatches, laptops, or recording devices unless staff specifically approve them.
- Do not bring glass containers, razors, scissors, tools, lighters, aerosols, loose medication, or outside food.
- Ask staff before bringing journals, pens, religious items, books, comfort objects, or hygiene products.
For more detail, review Prepare for a Brookhaven behavioral health visit and Brookhaven safety and visitor guidelines.
Caregivers and support persons
A caregiver or support person can help by packing essential items, keeping track of questions, confirming transportation, and making sure discharge instructions are understood. The patient should tell staff who may receive updates or help with discharge planning.
Support people should bring their own photo ID, phone, charger, and any information the patient asked them to provide. Waiting areas and overnight options may be limited, so support people should also check visitor rules before arrival.
For more guidance, review Support a patient during a hospital stay.
Packing checklist
Use this as a quick reference before leaving for the hospital.
| Bring | Why it helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and insurance cards | Supports registration and chart matching | Bring all current cards |
| Medication list and original bottles if requested | Helps staff review your current medications | Give medications to the nurse |
| Glasses, hearing aids, dentures, mobility aids | Supports communication and safety | Bring cases and chargers if needed |
| Comfortable clothing and toiletries | Helps with longer stays | Avoid cords, belts, and bulky items |
| Phone and charger | Supports communication | May be restricted at Brookhaven |
| Small comfort item | Can help the room feel less unfamiliar | Ask staff before bringing blankets, food, flowers, or gifts |
Essential documents
Keep essential documents together and easy to access. Hand copies to staff when requested and keep personal originals in a safe place.
| Document | Why it matters | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms identity at registration | Keep with you for check-in |
| Insurance or coverage cards | Supports registration and billing review | Show admissions staff |
| Medication and allergy list | Helps avoid medication errors | Give a copy to your nurse |
| Care preference or decision-maker documents | Helps staff understand who to contact and what preferences are on file | Give a copy for your chart |
| Emergency and authorized contacts | Helps staff contact the right person if updates or discharge support are needed | Give to registration or your nurse |
FAQ
Should I bring my prescription medications?
Bring a current medication list and medication bottles if your care team asked for them. Give medications to nursing staff during admission. Do not take your own medication during the hospital stay unless staff specifically approve it.
What valuables should I avoid bringing?
Leave jewelry, large cash amounts, extra cards, expensive electronics, and sentimental items at home or with a trusted person. Ask staff about safekeeping if you arrive with valuables you cannot send home.
Can I bring my cell phone or electronics?
Alchemilla units may allow personal phones or tablets unless the unit has a specific restriction. Brookhaven and some restricted areas may not allow personal electronics, cameras, smartwatches, or recording devices in patient areas. Ask staff before bringing or using electronics.
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