Do not bring in large quantities of items since storage space for patients is very limited. Dentures, retainers, hearing aids or eyeglasses should be kept in protective containers. Never wrap them in tissue as they might be accidentally thrown away.

• All current medications, or accurate list of all medications, and pharmacy phone number
• Names and phone numbers of current physicians and behavioral health providers
• Medical equipment and assistive devices
• Insurance cards, including Social Security, Medicare D, and Medicaid cards
• Legal documents:
  Driver’s License/Photo ID
  Advance Directives/Behavioral Health Directives
  Custody papers
• Guardianship or Durable Power of Attorney papers
• 3-5 changes/sets of comfortable clothes, shoes, and personal hygiene items

Contraband Items

Staff will discretely inspect all things that you bring in and all items that are brought in for you after your admission to ensure that it is safe for you and the others on the unit.

To protect the safety of our patients and staff, the following items are prohibited and are considered contraband. They may not be brought onto any unit by patients or visitors at any time. Additional items may be deemed as contraband at the discretion of the interdisciplinary treatment team. All packages will be checked by staff.

• Alcoholic beverages
• Any food or beverage items from outside the hospital
• Balloons or balloon strings
• Batteries or items containing batteries
• Cameras or recording devices of any type
• Cell phones, pages or any other personal communication device
• Clothing and other items that display satanic, sexually explicit, gang or drug related images, etc.
• Clothing with removable straps; steel toe boots/shoes; shoes with heels
• Drugs (including alcohol) or drug paraphernalia of any kind unless it’s medication specifically authorized by the attending psychiatrist
• Electronics brought from home, such as computers, tablets, personal gaming devices or personal music players
• Firearms or explosives
• Jewelry except wedding bands
• Knives, scissors or metal tools
• Lighters, matches or any item that us used to start fire
• Plastic bags
• Pop cans
• Publications, objects or images that are overtly racist, sexist or threatening to others
• Ropes, belts, chains or cords
• Safety pins, tacks or needles of any type
• Sexually revealing clothing
• Clothing and other items that display sexually explicit, gang or drug related images, etc.
• Smoking products, including e-cigarettes or similar items
• Tobacco products of any type
• Weapons of any types including any instrument that could be used to cause bodily harm or injury
• Wires, for example, used to hold cards, bows with plants or hangers

Any and all harm brought to any person related to contraband brought in by a visitor will be the sole responsibility of the person who brought it in and will be held responsible and prosecuted.

Restricted Items

Any belonging or item that could be used to cause harm to self, others or creates a disruption to the therapeutic environment is restricted.

The following items will not remain in the possession of the patient, but may be made available to patients on a limited basis and only under the supervision of staff:

• Aerosols
• Alcohol based mouth washes or any other personal care products with an alcohol base
• Shoelaces, scarves and ties
• CDs, DVDs, tapes
• Earphones and headsets
• Electronics with batteries or cords
• Glass, mirrors
• Boots, hats and caps
• Items with electrical cords
• Knitting or crochet supplies
• Medication of any type
• Pens, pencils
• Personal care products, including such items as: facial supplies, makeup, lotions, shampoos, cleansers, shaving supplies, nail care products, mouthwash, hair supplies and product
• Purses and wallets
• Walking canes, walkers, crutches (a wheelchair will be provided if necessary)

Other items may be restricted from your use if clinically indicated and would be part of your treatment plan.

Valuables

Please send any valuables home with a family member or friend. The hospital is not responsible for things that you choose to keep with you or in your room. Be sure that you mark all items that you bring with your name.

Unclaimed Items

At the time of discharge, be sure to collect all of your things. Unclaimed items will be kept for 30 days after your discharge date and then will be discarded if unclaimed.

The Michigan Department of Public Health developed a Mental Health Code that protects patients’ privacy. Our confidentiality policy complies with the state law. Please respect the privacy of other patients on the unit when you visit. If you recognize someone, let them greet you. If they do not greet you, please respect their wish to keep this stay confidential. Please do not discuss any patient you see at Pine Rest with anyone else.

Pine Rest is an institution that provides clinical teaching opportunities to medical and RN students along with various professionals. You may be approached by a student and you have the right to refuse to talk to them. Students are trained and adhere to the same level of confidentiality that is expected of hospital employees.

The hospital adheres to the Michigan Department of Mental Health Code. Upon admission each patient is given a “Patient’s Rights Booklet.” We encourage you to read it and ask any questions you may have. There is a Recipient’s Rights Advisor available for you to talk to, should you have any concerns you would like addressed. You may access the Recipient’s Rights Advisor either through your staff on the unit, by filling out a confidential complaint form located on each unit, by calling 616.455.5000 ext. 2777.

We recognize the importance of your individual spiritual and religious beliefs and we will provide an environment that is supportive and accepting. Community clergy are welcome to visit you at any time. Hospital Chaplains are available on each unit for personal care in addition to devotions, Sunday worship, and education classes.

If you or your family member needs interpretation services, please let your nurse know and arrangements will be made to accommodate your treatment needs. Services will be scheduled according to your needs and are provided at no cost to you or your family.

We want to be certain we are providing your care in a manner that is personalized and supports your wishes. Your Patient Rights Booklet   explains that you have the right to accept or refuse medical treatment. We include you in your treatment planning and need to know if you have any Behavioral Advance Directives, a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Health Care, a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) Finance, or a Living Will.

A Behavioral Advance Directive is written instructions for future mental health care in the event the patient is unable to make and participate in mental health care decisions. Patients requesting additional information about BHAD will be referred to their legal counsel.

A DPOA for Health Care is someone you have entrusted to make medical decisions if you are unable to communicate your wishes to your doctor or treatment team. This form is accepted as a legal document in the state of Michigan.

A Living Will is a document that directs, in writing, the kinds of medical treatment you would or would not want in the event you are permanently unconscious or terminally ill and can no longer speak for yourself. Living Wills are used to make medical decisions only. Usually if you have a Living Will, you will have appointed a DPOA for Health Care who is aware of your wishes and can speak on your behalf.

At the time of admission a nurse will ask if you have any Advance Directives already in place. If you do, we need to have a copy in your chart to incorporate in your treatment planning. If you do not have any Advance Directives and would like information on them, we will provide you with that information.

View visiting schedules by unit and review Patient Visitor Protocols at our Visiting Hours page.

The Ronald McDonald House as well as a host of hotels offer reduced rates on stays should this be needed. Please see a Case Manager for more information.

Patient Handbook (pdf)

Campus Map    
Building C Map    
Building E Map

Release of Information Form