|
 This
following information has been designed to help you and your family become familiar
with our Inpatient Mental Health Service. We encourage you to ask questions
and discuss your concerns with staff members at any time.
The unit will be locked from 11:00 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. every day. You will
not be allowed to leave the unit during this time. If you need to smoke, or
purchase snacks, you must do so before 11:00 p.m. The unit will be unlocked
at all other times.
Visiting hours are from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 –
8:30 p.m. every day. You may have up to two visitors at any
one time. Visitors must be at least 16 years of age. You may
visit in the Dining Room but NOT in the bedrooms. Visitors
may be restricted at the discretion of your psychiatrist or
the nursing staff. If you wish to leave the unit to visit
with someone, please discuss this first with your nurse and
you may be granted privileges.
Meals are served in the Dining Room at the following times:
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 noon
Supper: 4:30 p.m.
Coffee is provided from 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. and 1:45
– 2:00 p.m. in the Dining Room. Evening refreshments
are also available from 8:30 – 9:15 p.m.
We believe that, as part of your treatment, it is important
for you to have a daily schedule. For this reason, we ask
that you be up and dressed by 9:00 a.m. and that you make
your own bed and tidy your room. An activity program can be
planned with you, based on your particular needs. It is important
for you to participate in any activities and to socialize
with other people on the unit. A schedule of daily activities
is available in every room and outside the nursing station.
Some recreational activities will be included in your treatment program. Game,
puzzles, cards etc. are available for your use. Your nurse or recreational therapist
can obtain these for you. You can also discuss other options with the recreational
therapist.
The multidisciplinary team is made up of psychiatrists and
staff from nursing, psychology, social work, recreational
therapy and occupational therapy. The team meets daily to
discuss care for patients. Many staff on the team have an
office which is located in the outpatient area. As this is
a very busy area, it is only accessible to you when you are
accompanied by a member of the team. The psychology and social
work staff will make an appointment with you in advance, but
if you need to see them or someone else from the multidisciplinary
team, let your nurse know. Please do not ask the secretaries
to do this for you.
Your physician and/or psychiatrist may prescribe medications
for you to take at designated times. Unless you are on an
approved leave of absence, it is important that you be on
the unit at these times to receive your medications.
Members of the Council of Clergy provide a weekly non-denominational
service in the hospital. The hospital Chaplain is also available
for individual spiritual counseling. Your own clergy is welcome
to visit any time during the day and evening.
The bathtub and shower may be used only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. so
that other patients are not disturbed during sleeping hours. Please test the
water temperature with your hand prior to entering the shower.
Should you wish to do your laundry a washer, dryer and ironing
board are available in the laundry room. An iron is available
upon request. This room is open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m. Nursing staff are able to supply limited quantities of
detergent, but fabric softener is not available. Hospital
pajamas, towels and other linens must not be washed in this
machine.
With the passage of the Smoke Free Ontario Act (May 31, 2006) the Adult Mental
Health Unit can no longer operate its smoking rooms. If you have the privilege
level to leave the unit, you may smoke outside off hospital property. If you
are not allowed off the unit or grounds, nicotine replacement therapy is available.
Your nurse will be able to provide you with information regarding nicotine replacement.
Cellular telephones are not permitted in the hospital. Telephones are not available
in every room. There are five telephones in circulation. Telephone calls may
be made from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Please restrict calls to 5-10 minutes because
other people may wish to use the telephone as well. Pay phones are available
in the hospital lobby for longer calls. The telephones are kept on the shelf
in the TV lounge when not in use and must be returned there afterwards. The
phone in the interview room is to be used in special instances only, such as
calls of a sensitive nature (e.g., lawyer, CAS worker, etc.). Otherwise, the
room is to be made available for interviews. If you wish to make a long distance
call, ask your nurse for assistance. You will be left a message if there is
an incoming telephone call for you. You may pick up your messages at the nursing
station. It is up to you to check for your messages regularly.
Patients are asked to limit the amount of money in their room to $10.00. Additional
money can be deposited in the Business Office for safekeeping and may be obtained
during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
You are asked to restrict withdrawals to once a day. You may bring in your electric
razor, hair dryer and curling iron. For everyone’s protection, these articles
and all sharp articles will be kept for you in a locked bedside cabinet until
you need them. Medications will be kept locked in the medication room. The hospital
will not assume responsibility for loss or damage to possessions kept in your
room. There is a locked room available for you to store your luggage. Space
however is limited, so personal effects must be kept to a minimum. Nursing staff
are required to check any items you bring into the hospital and items that others
bring in for you. Coat hangers must be wooden or plastic. Aluminum cans
and glass bottles are not permitted. Your nurse can supply you with
a styrofoam cup at your request.
Electrical equipment, with the exception of your electric
razor, hair dryer and curling iron is not allowed in the hospital.
Battery operated radios and tape players may be used in your
room as long as this is not disturbing to the other patients.
You may watch television in the lounge during times when there
are not scheduled activities. The television is turned off
at 11:00 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 12:00 a.m. on Friday
and Saturday.
You are encouraged to be in your room by 11:00 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lights
will be dimmed at 10:00 p.m. Bedside privacy curtains are
to be used when dressing and MUST BE OPEN AT ALL OTHER
TIMES for safety reasons. Nursing staff are required
to open these curtains if they are found to be closed other
than when you are dressing.
Your psychiatrist must approve all passes and overnight leaves. In most situations,
you will not be allowed passes/LOA’s for the first 72 hours of your admission.
Once you can have passes/LOA’s, they must be taken after 12:00 p.m. Monday
to Friday in most cases. If you receive additional medication (prn) you are
not to leave the unit for 1 hour unless your doctor authorizes it. You will
be asked to sign a Leave of Absence Form with a phone number where you can be
reached before leaving the unit. Where possible, arrange to depart on leaves
before 3:00 p.m. or after 4:30 p.m. to avoid delays related to shift change
of nurses. Special leaves from the unit to other hospital areas may be approved
by your psychiatrist; otherwise you are expected to remain on the unit.
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements
when you take passes, leaves of absences and when you are
discharged. The hospital can only arrange transportation when
you are traveling for appointments or treatments ordered and
arranged by the hospital.
We respect your individual rights and the rights of your fellow patients. Your
behaviour within the hospital has a consequence. Use of alcohol could lead to
discharge. The use of street drugs, theft, assault or damage to property could
lead to criminal charges and/or discharge. There is a zero tolerance policy
for verbal abuse of staff and/or co-patients.
It is important to be aware that discharge planning begins
at the time of admission in most cases. Hospital staff will
help you to develop a treatment plan in order to prepare you
for discharge and to make links with appropriate community
agencies, if necessary. Although hospital staff may be able
to assist, you are responsible for making your own arrangements
for finances and housing.
Towels, facecloths and soap are supplied. You are encouraged
to reuse your towel so that supplies do not run out. The hospital
does not supply a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant,
hairbrush or comb. In some cases, disposable razors will not
be allowed without supervision. If you are allowed to wear
your own clothing, you should dress as you do at home. You
will need pajamas or nightgown, bathrobe or dressing gown,
non-skid slippers and one or two outfits of casual clothing
as well as outdoor clothing. Belts and ties will be kept for
you in the locked cupboard when not used. Alcoholic beverages,
over-the-counter medication, such as Tylenol and street drugs
are not permitted on the unit. You are encouraged to leave
your vehicle at home. While every effort will be made to accommodate
insurance coverage (i.e. private, semi-private), on occasion
you may be required to move to another room due to changing
unit conditions. Please keep in mind that discharge time is
11:00 a.m.
:: back to top ::
|
