What to bring and what not to bring to The Blackberry Center

*Patients must supply their own cigarettes during their stay.

Clothing permitted:

• No more than six changes of clothing should be brought. Modest, comfortable clothes are best. Washers, dryers, and soap are available on the unit.
• Clothing must be clean, neat, and in good repair.
• Good personal hygiene is encouraged.
• Hospital identification bands must be worn at all times.
• Undergarments (underpants and bras) must be worn.
• Shirts/blouses must be worn and buttoned.
• Shoes /slippers or non-slip socks must be worn at all times. No flip flops except in the shower.
• Pajamas are required sleeping attire. When out of your bedroom, you should be fully dressed.

Clothing items NOT permitted:

• Belt, clothing with strings and shoelaces are not permitted.
• Hoodies, hats, caps and other headwear are not permitted.
• Sheer material, low-cut, tight, and revealing clothing such as shorts or mini skirts are not permitted. Sleeveless shirts, midriff, and halter tops are not permitted.
• Flip Flops may only be worn in the shower.
• Panty hose, or knee-high stockings.
• No ties of any kind.
• No boots or any type of heels.
• T-shirts with inappropriate slogans or drug/alcohol themes are not permitted.
• Sunglasses may only be worn outside with a doctor’s order.
• Determination of attire will be at staff’s discretion.

Toiletries permitted:

• Toilet paper and soaps/body wash/shampoo are provided.
• Necessary grooming and hygiene products i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, emery board, deodorant, denture cream, combs, and lotion are provided and may be kept in the patient’s room.
• No more than 6 sharp items per patient are allowed to be kept in the sharps, which is stored at the Nurses’ Station and will be signed out daily.
• Acceptable sharp items that you may bring include closed razors, shaving cream or lotion, feminine hygiene products, hair brushes, and cosmetics without mirrors. Acceptable cosmetics (preferably in a small bag) include: lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, and blush.

Toiletries NOT permitted:

• Any item containing alcohol in the first three ingredients.
• Any item packaged in glass.
• Aerosol products (including deodorant and hairspray).
• Nail polish, Nail polish remover, nail files, nail clippers, tweezers.
• Hair dye, hair dryers, flat iron, curling iron, and hair picks.
• Cosmetics with glass or mirror, Q-tips, dental floss, straight razors, perfumes or cologne, body spray, electronic toothbrush.

Personal items NOT permitted

• Any broken or damaged items.
• Any metal products (i.e. metal hangers, keys, soda cans).
• Any items considered sharp (scissors, nail clippers, metal nail files, tweezers, etc)
• Glass items, glass containers, or mirrors.
• Knives, weapons of any kind, and other items considered to be a risk as determined by the management team.
• Plastic bags.
• Lighters/matches.
• Pillows, blankets, linens from home, stuffed animals.
• No unauthorized medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, herbal preparations, nasal sprays or eye drops are allowed without doctors’ orders.
• Musical instruments
• Games, cards or dice.
• Luggage, backpacks, ladies’ handbags will be stored until discharge. Any clothing containing drawstrings will be stored until discharge. If the patient wishes to have clothing on the unit with drawstrings, the string or belt must be removed first.

Arts & crafts items NOT permitted:

• Paint and brushes.
• Beading materials.
• Yarns and sewing supplies.
• Gel pens and ball point pens.
• Wooden coloring pencils.
• Permanent markers.
• Metal or spiral bound notebooks.
• Wood, plastic or metal crafts.

Electronics NOT permitted:

• Televisions, DVD players, and DVDs.
• Computers, laptops, iPads, tablets, Kindles, PalmPilots, and PDAs.
• iPods, MP3 players, CD players, radios, tape players, and CDs.
• Cameras
• Cell phones may be brought for travel purposes but will be stored in the safe until discharge.

Note: The hospital does not and cannot provide adequate storage for excess baggage, clothing, or personal items. Family members will be requested to take home unnecessary items.

Policy on valuables:

The followings items are to be placed in a valuables envelope and locked in the hospital safe until discharge.

• Cash, checks, and credit or debit cards.
• Identification such as driver’s license, car registration, social security card, and insurance cards.
• It is recommended that all jewelry be sent home or stored in the hospital safe. If jewelry is kept, it should be limited to: one wedding band, one watch, and one pair or earrings that are worn by the patient at all times and not stored in their room. Body piercings will be evaluated on a case by case basis. If a patient decides to keep jewelry in the unit with them, the hospital is not responsible for replacement or monetary value of the items if lost or stolen. No jewelry that could be considered dangerous shall be kept by the patient; these items must be locked in the safe.
• Keys

Patients should not bring anything else that has monetary or sentimental value. We advise patients not to bring items exceeding $500 in value. The Blackberry Center is not liable for the loss or damage of any money, jewelry, documents, or any other articles of unusual value.