What to bring for a Brookhaven stay

Mira

June 14, 2026 23:18

What to bring for a Brookhaven stay

If you are preparing for an inpatient stay at Brookhaven Hospital, bring only the items you need for identification, comfort, hygiene, communication, and daily care. Patient rooms may have limited space, and some belongings may need to be reviewed, stored, or held by staff during admission.

This article explains what to pack, what to leave at home, and what may happen to belongings when you arrive. If a family member, caregiver, or support person is helping you pack, they should review this list before bringing items to Brookhaven.

Best first step: Pack lightly. Bring what you need for care and comfort, but avoid valuables, sharp items, medications that have not been reviewed, cords, glass containers, and anything staff may not be able to safely store on the unit.

Admission slip, found under the property tray:
The bag was lighter when it came back.

Quick summary

Bring photo ID, insurance information, emergency contacts, provider information, and a current medication list if available.
Pack a small amount of comfortable clothing without drawstrings, cords, belts, or sharp accessories.
Hygiene items may be allowed, but glass, aerosol, alcohol-based, sharp, or unsafe containers may be restricted.
Medications from home must be reviewed by Brookhaven staff and should not be taken without staff approval.
Valuables, large amounts of cash, weapons, sharp items, substances, lighters, and breakable objects should be left at home.
Staff may complete a belongings review at admission and again after a room, unit, or observation-status change.

What to bring

Bring items that help staff confirm your information, understand your care needs, and support your stay. If you do not have every item listed, you can still be admitted.

Item	Why it helps
Photo ID	Helps confirm identity during admission, discharge, records review, or belongings return.
Insurance card or coverage information	Helps Brookhaven confirm coverage and billing information.
Emergency contact information	Helps staff know who to contact if there is an urgent care, discharge, or safety need.
Provider or therapist contact information	Helps the care team coordinate with outpatient providers, therapists, case managers, or community supports.
Current medication list	Helps staff review medication names, doses, schedules, allergies, and recent changes.
Assistive items	Glasses, contacts, hearing aids, mobility aids, communication supports, or other daily-use items may help staff support your care.

Clothing and comfort items

Pack simple, comfortable clothing for several days. Clothing should be appropriate for a shared care setting and should not include items that could create safety concerns.

Shirts, sweaters, or sweatshirts without drawstrings.
Sweatpants, pajama pants, or soft pants without cords.
Undergarments and socks.
Slip-on shoes or approved footwear.
A light jacket or sweatshirt, if approved by the unit.
One small comfort item, if allowed by the care area.

Some comfort items may be reviewed before they can be kept on the unit. This may include books, notebooks, photos, spiritual items, blankets, or soft personal items.

Important: Clothing with belts, cords, long straps, removable metal pieces, sharp accessories, or drawstrings may be stored or replaced with safer alternatives.

Hygiene items

Hygiene items are usually allowed when they can be safely stored and used on the unit. Staff may inspect containers or provide hospital-issued alternatives.

Item type	What staff may review
Toothbrush and toothpaste	Whether the item is appropriate for the unit and can be safely stored.
Comb or soft brush	Whether the item has sharp ends, removable parts, or metal pieces.
Deodorant	Whether the container is glass, aerosol, alcohol-based, or otherwise restricted.
Shampoo, conditioner, or body wash	Whether the container is safe and whether the product can be used on the unit.
Menstrual products	Whether the quantity and packaging meet unit guidelines.
Skin care items	Whether the item contains restricted ingredients, glass, sharp applicators, or unsafe packaging.

Medications and medical items

Bring a current medication list whenever possible. Include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, injections, creams, inhalers, patches, and any recent medication changes.

Do not take your own medications during your stay unless staff approves them. Medications brought from home must be reviewed by Brookhaven staff. In most cases, medications are administered by clinical staff during inpatient care.

Any medications brought with you may be stored securely, returned to an approved support person, or held until discharge depending on hospital policy and your care plan.

If you use medical equipment, mobility support, a CPAP device, glucose monitoring supplies, braces, wound-care items, or other daily medical items, tell staff during admission so they can review what is needed for your care.

Items that may be restricted

To protect patients, visitors, and staff, some belongings are not allowed on Brookhaven units. Restricted items may be stored, sent home with an approved person, or held until discharge.

Common restricted items Click to open / close

Weapons or anything that could be used as a weapon.
Sharp items, including knives, razors, scissors, pins, needles, or tools.
Medications that have not been reviewed by staff.
Alcohol, cannabis, illegal substances, or unapproved controlled substances.
Lighters, matches, candles, incense, or flammable items.
Glass containers, mirrors, or breakable objects.
Belts, cords, ropes, long straps, or clothing with drawstrings.
Expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, or irreplaceable valuables.
Electronics that cannot be safely stored or used according to unit rules.
Outside food or drinks unless approved by staff.

Property room notation, written in red pencil:
Do not return the ring. Do not return the knife. Do not return the letter.

If an item is important for cultural, spiritual, disability, mobility, sensory, or communication reasons, tell staff during admission. Brookhaven can review whether the item can be used safely or whether an alternative can be provided.

Belongings review at admission

During admission, staff may complete a belongings review. This is a normal part of inpatient care and helps make sure items brought onto the unit match current safety guidelines.

Staff will ask what belongings you brought with you.
Items may be reviewed with you present when possible.
Approved items may stay with you or be placed in your room.
Restricted items may be stored securely, sent home, or held until discharge.
You may receive a belongings record or confirmation of stored items.

If you are transferred to another room or unit, staff may review belongings again because allowed items can change by care area, observation level, patient safety need, or unit conditions.

Belongings record: Ask staff if you have questions about where an item was placed. Keeping track of belongings during admission, room changes, and discharge helps prevent confusion later.

If someone is packing for you

Family members, caregivers, and support people should pack only what the patient needs for the stay. Items brought after admission must still be reviewed by staff before they can be given to the patient.

Before bringing items	Why it matters
Call the unit or ask Reception	Unit rules may change based on observation level, safety needs, room assignment, or current restrictions.
Label belongings when appropriate	Labeled bags or containers can help staff document and return items more easily.
Avoid valuables	Brookhaven may not be the best place to keep irreplaceable or expensive items.
Bring only approved items	Restricted items may need to be taken back home, stored, or held until discharge.

If you are not sure about an item

If you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask before bringing it onto the unit. Staff can explain whether the item can stay with the patient, needs to be stored, or should be sent home.

Use unit staff for same-day questions. Portal messages or support tickets may not be reviewed quickly enough for admission, drop-off, discharge, or immediate safety questions.

FAQ

Can I bring my phone?

Phone access depends on the unit, your care plan, and current safety guidelines. Some phones, chargers, or accessories may need to be stored when not in use. Staff can explain current phone rules during admission.

Can someone bring items to me after I am admitted?

Yes, approved support people may be able to bring belongings after admission. Items must still be reviewed by staff before they can be given to the patient. Review the related article Bring approved items to a Brookhaven patient.

What if I accidentally bring a restricted item?

Tell staff as soon as possible. Restricted items are usually stored, returned to an approved person, or held until discharge. Bringing a restricted item by mistake does not automatically prevent care.

Can I keep valuables with me?

Brookhaven recommends leaving valuables at home. If you arrive with valuables, staff may document and store them according to hospital policy. Brookhaven may not be the best place to keep items that cannot be replaced.

Can I bring books, journals, or photos?

Usually, but they may be reviewed by staff. Items may be limited if they affect privacy, safety, treatment, or the care environment. Staff may also limit the number of personal items kept in the room.

What happens to my belongings when I leave?

Before discharge, staff should review stored belongings with you. If something appears to be missing, ask staff before leaving when possible. You can also review Find lost belongings after a Brookhaven stay.

Property return footer:
One item was signed out by someone with your handwriting.

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