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Plan Your Visit

Preparing for your hospital visit

At the time of your admission, or when you come to the hospital for pre-admission, please bring the following:

  • Your signed insurance card, Medicare cards, and/or Department of Social and Health Services ID card, as well as any other important billing information.
  • A list of any allergies you have to medications, food, dyes, latex, tape or other substances.
  • A list of any medications you take regularly, and the dosage. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medications such as aspirins, acetaminophen (Tylenol), vitamins, herbal preparations, and so on.
  • Copies of your durable power of attorney for health care, portable orders for life support treatment (POLST) form, and any copies of other advance directives, including living will or advance directives for mental health.
  • Any paperwork or X-rays from your doctor or health care provider.
  • Your emergency contact numbers.

If you wear dentures, ask your nurse for a special container to store them at your bedside. To avoid accidental disposal, please do not leave them wrapped in tissue or napkins on your bedside table.

For the safety of all patients, please do not bring any home electrical equipment or appliances to the hospital. This includes radios, hair dryers, curling irons and tape recorders. Please discuss exceptions to this policy with your nurse.

Since you will need few personal items, we suggest you limit what you bring to the following:

  • Bathrobe and slippers
  • Comb
  • Pajamas or gown
  • Shaving equipment
  • Toiletries
  • Toothbrush

What about valuables?

The hospital is not responsible for money or other valuables kept in your room. We strongly recommend that you leave money, jewelry and mobile devices at home. If you have money or other valuables with you when you come to the hospital, you can leave them with our security department for safekeeping.

MyChart Bedside

MyChart Bedside is a feature in the MyChart app that allows you to be more involved with your care, or your family member’s care, while in the emergency department or when admitted to the hospital.

To get started, download the MyChart app and log in to your account. Once you, or your family member, is in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital, you will be able to access details about your stay from the MyChart app homepage.

Visit MyChart Bedside for more information and tip sheets. 

Preparing for surgery

Learn more about preparing for surgery at MultiCare.