Why some areas of Brookhaven may be restricted during care

Best first step: Follow the most recent staff instructions and posted signs. If a hallway, room, stairwell, elevator, or shared space seems unclear, return to the nurses’ station or ask the nearest staff member before entering.

• Areas may be restricted for safety, privacy, staffing, observation, cleaning, maintenance, active care, or unit operations.
• Restricted access may apply to rooms, hallways, Day Room spaces, bathrooms, visitor areas, outdoor areas, stairwells, elevators, nurses’ stations, treatment rooms, storage areas, and staff-only areas.
• Your observation level can change which areas you may use independently, with supervision, or not at all.
• Do not enter locked, dark, posted, staff-only, or unfamiliar areas without staff approval.
• If you feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsafe, return to the nurses’ station or tell the nearest staff member.
• Visitors and support people must follow the same area restrictions and check-in instructions.

Reason	What it may mean
Safety review	Staff may limit access while a patient’s observation level, belongings, movement, or immediate safety needs are reviewed.
Patient privacy	An area may be closed because another patient is receiving care, having a private conversation, or needs reduced stimulation.
Clinical activity	A treatment room, group room, medication area, or assessment space may be in active use.
Environmental safety	An area may need cleaning, repair, spill response, maintenance, inspection, or safety equipment review.
Unit operations	Staff may close or reroute an area because of staffing, admissions, discharges, transfers, quiet hours, group setup, or unit flow.

Area	Why it may be limited
Patient rooms	Only assigned patients, approved staff, and approved visitors may enter. Room access can change with observation level or privacy needs.
Day Room or group room	Access may depend on schedule, staffing, supervision, group activity, observation level, or room capacity.
Nurses’ station or medication area	Staff-only areas protect medication safety, patient privacy, documentation, and unit communication.
Treatment rooms or interview rooms	May be reserved for assessments, private conversations, medication review, crisis support, or care-team meetings.
Storage, laundry, utility, or supply rooms	May contain restricted items, cleaning supplies, patient belongings, equipment, or staff-only materials.
Stairwells, elevators, outdoor areas, or connecting corridors	May require staff escort, badge access, unit approval, or temporary closure for safety and wayfinding.

• Routine observation may allow use of approved shared spaces during posted times.
• Increased observation may require staff permission before leaving your room or unit area.
• Close or continuous observation may limit Day Room, bathroom, shower, visitor, phone, hallway, or group access.
• Staff may ask you to stay in a specific room, hallway, observation area, or supervised space.
• Observation changes can happen during the day or overnight as staff review safety and symptoms.

• Do not enter another patient’s room.
• Do not listen at doors or try to view another patient’s paperwork, care board, or medication information.
• Ask staff before entering interview rooms, group rooms, or shared spaces that appear closed.
• Leave the area if staff ask you to step away for privacy or safety.
• Tell staff if your own privacy or dignity feels compromised by a restricted-area change.

Ask before entering if the room is dark, empty, locked, being cleaned, posted as closed, or no staff are present when supervision is required.

• Nurses’ station work areas.
• Medication rooms or medication carts.
• Charting, records, or staff documentation areas.
• Storage rooms, supply rooms, linen rooms, and utility closets.
• Staff break rooms or staff restrooms.
• Maintenance, mechanical, basement, roof, or service corridors.
• Any door marked staff only, authorized personnel only, restricted, locked, or closed.

• Follow the most recent staff instruction over an older schedule.
• Do not assume yesterday’s access rules still apply today.
• Ask where to wait if a room, hallway, or shared space is closed.
• Ask whether a closure changes meal location, group location, Day Room access, visitor location, or phone access.
• Tell staff if a closure makes it hard to reach a bathroom, approved activity, meal, or staff contact point.

1. Stop and do not continue deeper into the area.
2. Return to the hallway, nurses’ station, or approved waiting area.
3. Tell staff you were unsure where to go.
4. Ask for the correct route, room number, or supervised access instructions.
5. Do not open additional doors, cabinets, carts, or storage areas.
6. Tell staff if you touched anything, saw a hazard, or feel unsafe.

• Visitors should follow Reception and unit staff instructions.
• Visitors should not enter patient rooms, hallways, or shared spaces unless staff approve.
• Visitor access may change with observation level, patient preference, unit activity, privacy, or safety review.
• Support people may be asked to wait in another area during assessments, medication review, or private care.
• Brookhaven may be limited in what it can share with visitors, even when visitors are allowed on campus.

• Is this area closed, staff-only, or restricted for my observation level?
• Where should I wait instead?
• Can I enter with staff supervision?
• Is this restriction temporary or part of my care plan?
• Does this affect my Day Room access, group attendance, bathroom access, phone access, or visitor access?
• Who should I ask before entering this area later?
• What should I do if I feel lost or unsafe?

Tell Brookhaven staff immediately if you feel unsafe, lost, physically unwell, panicked, confused, trapped, overstimulated, or like you may hurt yourself or someone else.

• If you are on the unit, tell the nearest staff member right away.
• Return to the nurses’ station or approved waiting area if you are lost.
• Use emergency services if there is immediate danger and you are not on campus.
• Call or text 988 in the U.S. for suicide prevention, crisis intervention, or emotional distress support.
• Use 988 Lifeline chat if chat is safer or easier than calling.