Cell phones, music players, cash, jewelry, laptops, and other electronic devices should be left at home. If patients bring these items to our hospital, the items are put in storage until the time of discharge. Safety is always our first concern. Items considered hazardous to our patients, staff, or visitors are called “contraband.” Our current list of items not allowed on our patient care units includes, but is not limited to:
- Plastic bags
- Drawstrings or strings in pants, shirts, jackets or shoelaces
- Belts, ties and scarves
- Jewelry
- Clothing with drug, alcohol, sexual themes or potential addicting themes (gambling, tobacco, casinos)
- Homemade food, open or unsealed packages of food (gum, chips, candy, fast food brought in by anyone except a food service delivery person) or anything not in a factory-sealed package or bottle
- Electrical appliances with cords
- CDs, DVDs and other hard plastic objects
- Books and magazines not approved by the therapist
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Cigarettes, lighters, matches and tobacco products
- Underwire bras (may be allowed on adult unit at nursing discretion)
- Knives, guns or metal objects designed as weapons, metal hangers, letter openers
- Sewing needles, hooks, safety pins, straight pins, scissors, metal nail clippers or files
- Perfumes, cologne or aftershave
- Steel-toed boots and high-heeled shoes
- Hairsprays and any liquids containing alcohol or aerosols
- Any other item considered potentially harmful, non-therapeutic or altered from original use
