PROTECTING YOUR BELONGINGS WHILE HOSPITALIZED

Patients have many concerns when coming to the hospital for treatment and recovery. Cost, loss of wages from work, or perhaps a pet left home alone are just a few things that leave you feeling overwhelmed when discovering you may need hospitalization. With these concerns already in mind, it is our desire that your hospital stay be as worry free as possible.  When sick and not feeling well, it is difficult for your personal belongings to be in your possession at all times.  This is why at Cumberland Medical Center we encourage patients to leave personal belongings at home. With several disciplines caring for you and many tests and procedures being performed that require you to remove your glasses, dentures, etc.; we have discovered often patients lose these items.  For this reason, we recommend that you only bring essential items to the hospital.

Cumberland Medical Center is not responsible for replacing lost, misplaced or damaged belongings and valuables

The following tips are provided to assist you with securing your personal belongings:

Clothing – There is limited storage space in each patient room. We suggest that clothing worn to the hospital be sent home with family/friends and that appropriate clothing be brought to the hospital shortly before patient discharge. The hospital provides gowns and slippers for all patients.

Denture Care – All patients must inform their nurses that they are wearing bridges or dentures. These items will be documented on a belongings list and staff members will provide a denture cup to store them in when not in use. The cup will be labeled with the patient's name. Please avoid placing dentures on a meal tray, under a pillow, in the pocket of a hospital gown, in the bed sheets or in any concealed place where they may be lost or accidentally thrown out.

Hearing Aids – Hearing aids should be kept in the original case provided upon purchase. If the original case is not available, nursing staff will provide a container labeled with patient name to store the aids in when not in use. Do not leave hearing aids unprotected on the bedside table, on the bed, on the meal tray or in the pocket of a hospital gown.

Eyeglasses – To prevent loss or damage to eyeglasses during hospitalization, patients are asked not to leave them unprotected on the bedside table, bed or in the pocket of a hospital gown. Glasses are best secured in a case labeled with the patient’s name.

Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes – Please put your name and date of birth on all necessary items that are brought to the hospital including: wheelchairs, walkers and canes. Your nurse can provide a sticker label for you to write this information on and affix to your belongings.

Valuables – Please leave all valuables and non-essential belongings at home or send them home with a family member or friend upon admission to the hospital. Valuables include, but are not limited to: jewelry, watches, cash, credit cards, wallets, purses, cameras, cell phones, laptops. If you do not send your valuables home, you may secure your valuables in the hospital safe. If you choose this option, you will receive a receipt to collect your valuables upon discharge. If you refuse to send your valuables home or secure them in the hospital safe, Cumberland Medical Center will not be liable for any damaged, lost or stolen belongings or valuables.

Medications – Always bring a list of all the medications that you are taking to the hospital. This list should also include herbals, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications. If you bring in your own medications, your nurse will send your medications to pharmacy for review, verification and storage. Personal medications are not to be stored at the bedside and are not to be taken without physician and pharmacy approval.

Lost Items – While Cumberland Medical Center is not responsible for the personal belongings of patients and visitors, we make every attempt to return lost items to their owners. To file a lost items report, please contact your assigned nurse.
We strive to make your hospital stay as enjoyable as possible. Only with your help can this goal be achieved. As always, we look forward to providing you with quality care delivered by quality professionals.