Visiting Hours: Family and friends may visit from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Visitation by children ages 12 and younger is allowed only with prior physician approval. Adults must supervise children at all times. You are responsible for giving all visitors the confidentiality code issued to you during admission.
Groups: All patients are expected to attend and participate in all scheduled group activities per their treatment plan. You will be provided with a schedule of group activities, and there is a schedule posted at the nurse’s station.
Phone Privileges: Two phones are available for patient use in the hallway. Please limit your phone calls to free time and 10 minutes in length when there are no scheduled activities. Phone use is not available after 10:00 p.m.
Clothing: Patients are asked to dress in casual street clothes during the day. Shoes are required.
Valuables: There is not suitable space on the unit for storing valuables. The hospital is not responsible for such items if they are lost. We encourage valuables to be sent home when possible; alternatively, hospital security will secure valuables and return them to you at the time of discharge.
Automobiles: Personal transportation is not needed while hospitalized. Please notify us if you have parked your vehicle on Emory’s campus or in hospital parking.
Electrical Appliances: Small items such as hair dryers, electric razors, curlers, and radios are allowed, if in good repair. Nursing staff will check these items for safety upon admission. For additional safety, these items are labeled with the patient’s name and kept secure at the nurse’s station. Ask to use them, and return immediately after use.
Personal Leisure Items: Reading materials and hobby items may be used during free time. Items such as crochet hooks, knitting needles, cross-stitch, scissors, etc. are kept at the nurses’ station, but may be used upon request, and at staff discretion. Photographs and mementos are encouraged but frames must not contain any glass.
Restricted Items: The following items are not allowed on the unit: cameras, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, non-prescription drugs, weapons, glass, cell phones, and metal coat hangers. Staff will search incoming packages to secure such items. We ask that you notify staff if any of the above items are overlooked or brought in by visitors. We will gladly secure them for you. Also, it is strongly recommended that you not sell to or borrow items from other patients.
Free time activities: We encourage patients to socialize with others during free times. Please use the common areas to socialize, and avoid potential conflicts by not visiting in each other’s room. Activities available to you during free time are: the daily newspaper, deck of cards, art supplies, reading materials, word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, various board games and movies. Please meet with your Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for assistance with these items. In the evenings, ask for assistance at the Nurse’s station. They have access to some activity supplies.
We are a non-smoking facility.
Your Treatment Plan: An individual plan of care is developed with you (and your guardian, if applicable) focusing on problems and strengths to maximize treatment and promote health. An assigned care manager reviews the plan with you and asks for your input.
Medications: Medication given to you while here must be prescribed by the physician and dispensed by the nursing staff at the scheduled times. Please ask questions if you have them. You should know the name, the actions, and any potential side effects of the medicines you are given. Medication brought in at admission usually is returned to you, or may be disposed of at your doctor’s suggestion.
Meals: You will be served meals in the dining room, unless ordered otherwise by your physician. Meals are served during the following times: 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Staff will announce the arrival of meals. Please be dressed for the day before breakfast. To allow for conversation during meals, the TV is to be turned off in the dining room.
Your family may bring a single serving of food to you in a plastic or Styrofoam container, as long as the food is agreeable with any special diet you are ordered. We serve only decaffeinated beverages here, so no caffeinated drinks can be brought from home. Eating in patient rooms is discouraged. Please do not stash food in your room; this keeps our environment clean and pest free.
You may be placed on a special diet depending on your health needs. The Dietary Department will prepare your food according to this diet. If you have questions about your diet, healthy eating or weight changes, please talk with staff; a dietician consult might be ordered for you.
Conduct: You are expected to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner while on the unit. Threats of harm or fighting infringe on the rights of others and are taken seriously. Conflicts with peers should be resolved with the assistance of staff if you are unable to resolve the situation.
You might make friends here with the other patients. We ask that you keep your relationship at the friend level. We do not want anything interfering with your current treatment. The staff will observe all the patients during the day and will make rounds at night, so that everyone can be safe and focused on their treatment issues.
Environment: EmoryHealthcare strives to provide surroundings that promote a caring environment and quality treatment. You are asked to keep your room tidy and to make your own bed. Please pick up after your activities in common areas. Housekeeping provides routine services such as cleaning your restroom and emptying your trash can. Bed linens and towels are available in the hallway; please put your dirty linen in the proper receptacle. Staff will assist you with making your bed if you are unable.
Laundry: Washer/dryer facilities are available for your use. Laundry detergent is available at the nurse’s station. If you need assistance operating the machines, please ask a staff member.
Cell Phones: Cell phones are not to be used while in treatment here. We will secure your cell phone with your other belongings. We have two hall phones from which you can make and receive calls. Please write down phone numbers that are stored in your cell phone. Your cell phone company has likely provided you with methods to retrieve your voice messages from land lines. For long distance calls, we encourage you to bring a phone card for your use. If long distance calls are necessary for your discharge planning, we will help you make those calls.
