Preparing for Your or Your Loved One’s Hospital Stay

We are committed to meeting the needs of our patients, visitors and staff while maintaining the safest possible environment. This means we have clear guidelines about what to bring for your hospital stay or when visiting a patient in our hospital – and what not to bring.

These guidelines are in place to enhance everyone’s protection and experience. Thank you for your understanding and compliance.

What to bring for your hospital stay

• Photo ID
• Current medication list, including dosage and dose schedule
• Health insurance and Medicare cards, along with pre-certification and other documentation required by insurers
• A copy of advance health care directives, such as durable power of attorney for health care, living will, POLST
• A personal health record that includes information such as allergies, health conditions, immunization record and reports of recent tests or physical exams
• Reports your physician may have given you to bring to the hospital
• A list of telephone numbers of family and friends to be contacted as needed
• Dentures
• Hearing aids
• Eyewear
• One set of clothing and undergarments
• Up to two electronic devices with chargers
  • Items should not be larger than a laptop
• Hospital-approved medical devices
• Reading materials
• Hygiene items not provided by John Muir Health (i.e., hair brush, special oral hygiene, etc.)

Note: Please only bring items that you will actively be using while in the hospital.

Items to leave at home

• Jewelry (i.e., wedding rings, body piercings, etc.)
• Large sums of money
• Purse

Prohibited items to ensure safety

• Weapons of any kind (i.e., firearms, knives, tasers, pepper spray, etc.)
• Metal of any kind (i.e., razors, paper clips, staples, spiral notebooks, metal cans, safety pins, three-ring binders, nail files/clippers, metal hair clips, etc.)
• Tobacco or vaping products of any kind (i.e., e-cigs). Smoking is strictly prohibited in all health care facilities.
• Non-approved food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) or any perishable items from outside our hospital
• Drug paraphernalia (i.e., pipes, bongs, etc.)
• Non-hospital prescribed medications including, but not limited to, marijuana products
• Drugs (those not ordered by a licensed physician)
• Fire ignition sources (i.e., lighters, matches, etc.)
• Flammable items
• Bottles of any type

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. Any items that are determined by John Muir Health staff to be dangerous will be confiscated. Under the Conditions of Admission and CA Civil Code Section 1860, the hospital is NOT responsible for any lost and/or damaged items retained by the patient or designee.