Reception, visitor entrances, parking, and check-in

Best first step: Check in at reception before going to a patient wing, treatment area, visitor waiting area, or unit. If a route or entrance has changed, ask staff for the current approved path.

• Visitors and support people should check in at reception before going to any patient area.
• Visitor entrances, parking areas, drop-off routes, and waiting areas may change.
• Check-in may require photo ID, patient name, visitor approval, item review, and unit confirmation.
• Parking and drop-off areas may be limited during maintenance, weather, fog, or emergency access needs.
• Do not enter patient wings, treatment areas, stairwells, or staff-only routes without staff direction.
• If you are lost, delayed, or sent to the wrong entrance, contact reception or ask staff for help.

• Confirm the patient’s current visitor status.
• Confirm the correct visitor entrance and check-in location.
• Confirm visiting hours or approved appointment time.
• Ask whether the patient’s unit or room recently changed.
• Ask whether items, food, clothing, or belongings can be brought in.
• Ask whether parking, drop-off, or mobility support is needed.
• Ask whether weather, fog, or temporary closures affect the route.

Entrance type	What to know
Main reception entrance	Use this for most visitor check-ins, general questions, and wayfinding help.
Visitor entrance	May be used during approved visiting hours or scheduled support-person visits.
Patient admission entrance	May be used for intake, transfer, or scheduled admission instructions.
Emergency or transfer route	Used only when directed by staff, Alchemilla, transport, or emergency services.
Staff, service, or restricted entrances	Do not use these unless Brookhaven staff clearly direct you there.

• Use visitor parking unless staff direct you elsewhere.
• Do not block ambulance, transport, service, or emergency access lanes.
• Use designated drop-off areas for short stops when available.
• Ask reception about accessible parking or mobility drop-off needs.
• Allow extra time during fog, road closures, maintenance, or campus reroutes.
• Do not park in staff-only, service, loading, or restricted areas unless approved.
• If the parking area feels unsafe or visibility is poor, contact reception for guidance before walking the campus alone.

1. Arrive at the current approved entrance.
2. Check in with reception or visitor services.
3. Provide photo ID if requested.
4. Give the patient’s name and your relationship to the patient.
5. Wait while staff confirm visitor approval, patient consent, unit status, or visit timing.
6. Review any items you brought for the patient.
7. Receive visitor instructions, badge, waiting area guidance, or approved route.
8. Follow staff instructions if the patient moved, the unit is restricted, or the visit cannot happen.

Bring	Why it may be needed
Photo ID	May be needed to verify visitor identity.
Patient name and unit information, if known	Helps reception route the visit or confirm current placement.
Approved items only	Clothing, hygiene items, or other approved belongings may need review before delivery.
Medication or paperwork only if staff requested it	Home medications, records, or forms should be handled through staff review.
Accessibility or communication information	Helps Brookhaven support mobility, sensory, interpreter, or communication needs.

Do not bring restricted items into a patient wing, treatment area, or visitor room without staff approval. Items that seem ordinary may still be restricted based on the patient’s care plan or unit rules.

• Ask before bringing clothing, hygiene items, books, electronics, food, drinks, or comfort items.
• Ask whether items must be labeled or checked in.
• Ask whether home medications should go to staff instead of the patient.
• Ask whether anything must be stored until discharge.
• Do not leave items at reception without staff accepting them.
• Ask for next steps if an item is declined or held for review.

Important: Being a ride, visitor, emergency contact, or family member does not automatically allow someone to receive treatment details, medication information, safety-plan details, or access to patient areas.

• Ask whether the patient has authorized you as a support person.
• Ask whether a release, proxy setting, or legal document is needed.
• Ask what information can be shared with you.
• Ask whether you can attend a care conference, discharge review, or family meeting.
• Ask whether you can access the unit or should wait in a visitor area.

• Use the route staff provide at check-in.
• Do not follow older maps or prior visit routes through closed areas.
• Do not enter staff-only, posted, darkened, or locked routes.
• Ask for new directions if a hallway, elevator, or entrance is closed.
• Ask whether the patient’s room or unit changed before trying another route.
• Report confusing signs, blocked paths, or unsafe access conditions to staff.

• Accessible parking or drop-off guidance.
• Wheelchair or mobility assistance.
• Escort support to a unit, waiting area, or appointment location.
• Interpreter or communication support.
• Low-stimulation waiting options when available.
• Help with directions if signs, lighting, fog, or route changes make the campus difficult to navigate.

1. Stop before entering a patient wing or restricted route.
2. Return to reception or the nearest staffed area.
3. Ask whether the entrance, route, or patient unit changed.
4. Tell staff if you are late for an approved visit or care conference.
5. Ask whether the visit can still happen or needs to be rescheduled.
6. Ask for escort, mobility, or wayfinding support if needed.
7. Do not continue through closed, locked, staff-only, or unfamiliar areas.

Do not wait for a portal reply, records request, or routine callback if the issue affects immediate safety, emergency care, patient location, or urgent visitor access.

• If you are on campus and lost or unsure where to go, return to reception or ask staff for help.
• If you entered a restricted area by mistake, leave the area and notify staff.
• If a patient is missing, unsafe, or cannot be located, notify staff immediately.
• If someone may harm themselves or someone else, use crisis or emergency support.
• If there is a medical emergency, use emergency services or Alchemilla Emergency Services.