Preparing for an Overnight Stay

It's best to take some time to prepare for your overnight stay at Brockville General Hospital. If you're getting ready to leave the hospital, view our discharge guides.

Items to bring with you

You should always have your contact information available, your Ontario Health Card, your medication, medication instructions, any additional health coverage and insurance information, if needed. Always wear clothing that's comfortable.

Personal care items

To ensure that you're comfortable during your overnight stay, bring a few of your toiletries, including your:

  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Books or reading material can also help make your stay more enjoyable.

Electronic items

Please notify our health care team when using any electronic items overnight as they may affect medical equipment or pose as a distraction to other patients or staff. This may include cell phones, tablets, radios or televisions.

Visitors and patients may not use wireless communication devices in critical care areas or within one metre of medical monitoring/controlling devices. You may use electronic or wireless devices in non-critical care areas like lobbies, main entrances, waiting areas and most nursing units. Please check with staff before using an electronic device.

Do not bring

Do not bring any valuables (jewellery, money) or decorative items from your home. Hospital staff are not responsible for the safekeeping of personal items.

Do not visit if you are sick

If you're planning a visit to the hospital, please delay your visit until your symptoms go away.

Symptoms

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms of illness, please do not visit the hospital:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

If you're a patient and you're experiencing these symptoms, tell a member of your care team right away.

Scent-Free Environment and Latex Allergies

For the safety of patients and staff, do not use perfumes, colognes or other scented products when visiting the hospital. 

Latex balloons are not permitted because they can cause allergic reactions. Mylar balloons are acceptable as they are non-allergenic.

Only low-scent flowers and plants are permitted. Please check with the patient care unit before bringing flowers or plants to the hospital.

Smoking and Vaping

Our hospital is a smoke-free facility. This means smoking and vaping are not permitted inside hospital buildings, or anywhere on hospital property, including vehicles parked on Brockville General grounds.
 
Brockville General offers a number of smoking cessation supports in place for patients, including nicotine replacement therapy. If you know of a patient who would like support to quit smoking, please speak with a member of their health-care team.  

Fire safety

If the fire alarm sounds, remain calm and follow instructions provided by staff.

The hospital conducts regular emergency preparedness training and drills to help ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff.

Prevent the spread of infection

Sometimes extra precautions are needed to help protect patients, visitors and staff from the spread of illness.

If a sign is posted outside a patient's room, please speak with a member of the healthcare team before entering. They will explain any precautions you need to take during your visit.

Masks, Gowns, Gloves and Eye Protection

You may be asked to wear protective equipment before entering a patient's room. This may include:

  • A mask
  • Gloves
  • A gown
  • Eye protection
Please follow the instructions provided by the healthcare team and clean your hands after removing any protective equipment.

Hand hygiene

Cleaning your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection. 

You can clean your hands using either alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the hospital, and handwashing facilities are available in washrooms and patient care areas.

 Please clean your hands regularly, especially:

  • When entering the hospital
  • Before and after visiting a patient
  • After removing protective equipment
  • Before eating
  • After using the washroom
  • When leaving the hospital