Find or report missing belongings after a Brookhaven stay

Best first step: If you are still at Brookhaven, ask unit staff to review the belongings record before leaving. Missing-item questions are often easier to resolve before discharge is complete.

• Report missing belongings as soon as you notice an item was not returned.
• Include the patient name, date of birth, admission or discharge date, unit if known, and a clear item description.
• Ask whether the item appears on the admission belongings record, transfer record, property log, or discharge checklist.
• Items may be stored, held for safety review, sent home with an approved person, or moved during a room or unit transfer.
• If the item is medication, identification, keys, a phone, mobility support, or needed for safe transportation, contact staff directly.
• Brookhaven may need time to check unit areas, property storage, laundry, security, pharmacy, discharge records, or lost and found.

• Review discharge paperwork or belongings paperwork, if available.
• Check bags, clothing pockets, laundry bags, and personal containers.
• Ask whether a support person picked up or took home the item.
• Think about when the item was last seen or used.
• Note whether there was a room transfer, unit transfer, observation change, or visitor drop-off.
• Write down details such as color, brand, size, quantity, case, charger, serial number, or identifying marks.

Possible location	Why it may be there
Patient room or unit area	The item may have been left in a room, common area, bathroom, storage bin, or assigned patient area.
Secure property storage	Restricted or valuable items may be stored separately from everyday belongings.
Unit desk or Patient Services	Staff may hold belongings for discharge, pickup, documentation, or transfer coordination.
Laundry or linens	Clothing or small items may be mixed with linens, laundry bags, or bedding.
Pharmacy or clinical storage	Medications, medical supplies, or certain substances may require special handling.
Lost and found	Items found after discharge may be routed to a general lost and found or property review process.

• Patient full name and date of birth.
• Admission date, discharge date, or approximate stay dates.
• Unit, room, or care area, if known.
• Item type, color, brand, size, quantity, or identifying marks.
• Whether the item was restricted, stored, brought by a visitor, or kept with the patient.
• When and where the item was last seen.
• Whether the patient changed rooms or units during the stay.
• Whether a support person may have taken the item home.
• Whether the item is needed urgently.
• Best callback number and preferred contact method.

Situation	What to do
Still admitted	Ask the assigned nurse, unit desk, or Patient Services to review the belongings record.
Discharging today	Ask staff to review the item before leaving the unit or discharge area.
Already discharged	Contact Brookhaven Patient Services or submit a nonurgent missing-belongings report.
Support person reporting	Include your relationship to the patient and whether the patient has authorized Brookhaven to speak with you.

1. Staff may confirm patient identity and report details.
2. Staff may review admission belongings documentation.
3. Staff may check room, unit, transfer, and discharge records.
4. Staff may check property storage, lost and found, laundry, pharmacy, or security logs.
5. Brookhaven may contact you for more details or pickup instructions.
6. If the item is located, Brookhaven may explain how it can be returned.
7. If the item cannot be located, staff may explain next steps for documentation.

• Describe the item and the damage.
• Explain when the item was last seen undamaged.
• Explain when the damage was first noticed.
• Include photos if Brookhaven requests them through an approved channel.
• Ask whether the item was documented at admission, storage, transfer, or discharge.
• Ask how the concern will be reviewed or recorded.

Important: Brookhaven recommends leaving valuables, large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, and irreplaceable items at home. If you must bring valuables, ask staff how they are documented and stored.

Do not wait for a portal reply if the missing item is needed today for safety, medication access, identity verification, transportation, mobility, communication, discharge, or urgent follow-up care.

• If the patient is still on campus, ask unit staff before leaving.
• If discharge is happening today, ask staff to review the belongings record immediately.
• If the item is medication, ask staff or pharmacy how it must be handled.
• If the item is a phone, wallet, keys, ID, mobility aid, glasses, or hearing aid, explain that it is urgent.
• If the patient is no longer on campus, contact Patient Services and ask for the fastest available next step.