Download: Client Admission Handbook (PDF)
What should I bring for an inpatient stay?
You may want to bring comfortable day clothes, along with pajamas, slippers and a house coat. There is a washer and drier on each unit. Other items you may want to bring include: toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towel, reading material, writing paper, and any hobby materials you may enjoy.
Pocket change for coffee or other sundry items is a good idea and any additional money you may wish to bring with you can be held in the Accounting department for you. Each patient will have a locked cupboard in their room and patients are responsible for all the items they wish to bring into The Royal.
For information on your unit’s restrictions, or bringing specific items with you, such as medications or electronic devices, please check with a staff member prior to admission.
What are The Royals’ expectations of patient behaviours and what behaviours are not acceptable?
We expect patients to act in a safe and responsible manner, and to treat both staff and other patients with respect, as well as to respect hospital property. Aggressive, threatening or abusive behaviour and language is not acceptable.
Patients are expected to follow our policies and work collaboratively with health care providers in developing and carrying out agreed-upon treatment plans.
Patients should disclose relevant information and clearly communicate their wants and needs to staff. It’s also important that patients give accurate information to their health care team to help them plan the best care for each patient’s unique needs.
What’s the smoking policy and consequences for smoking where I’m not supposed to?
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Brockville Mental Health Centre or Royal Ottawa Place. As of December 31, 2011 smoking will not be permitted at all on the grounds of any of The Royal’s facilities.
What do the various patient privilege levels mean and what are the reasons for them?
In order to ensure patient safety during their treatment and recovery at The Royal, there are specific guidelines regarding patient levels of responsibility and authorized leaves. For example, a patient is restricted to their unit until seen and examined by a physician and the physician’s order for a level of responsibility is written.
Only physicians can increase a patient’s level of responsibility. A nurse, based on circumstances, may decrease a patient’s level of responsibility until the patient is re-assessed by a physician. A patient may start at any level.
Patient Levels of Responsibility
For privileges up to level 3, the patient must be observed hourly.
- Ward – Patient must remain on the unit. This level must be written for any patient on Constant Observation or Intermittent Observation
- Level 1 – Patient may go on hospital grounds on a one-to-one basis with a staff member.
- Level 2 – Patient may go on hospital grounds in a group, accompanied by a staff member.
- Level 3 – Patient may attend community activities off hospital grounds, in a group and accompanied by staff, as part of the Unit’s activity programs.
- Level 4 – Patient may go on hospital grounds, accompanied by another patient with a similar level of responsibility or a responsible visitor. The patient is expected to report back to their assigned nurse at least once per hour.
- Level 5 – The patient may go on hospital grounds unaccompanied, for a stated or expected time frame, as documented in the orders or progress notes.
- Level 6 – Patient may go off hospital grounds unaccompanied, for specific or therapeutic purposes for a stated or expected time frame.
Why are some wards locked or occasionally locked?
All floors can have a locked door if a situation requires it. Usually this occurs when an inpatient wishes to leave the unit, but cannot, because he/she is considered a potential danger to themselves or others, or the patient may not able to look after themselves if they wandered off. Forensic units are locked at all times.
What are the curfew times for patients and why?
The Royal recognizes the need to provide a safe environment for all patients. As part of the ongoing care, all inpatients must be present on their respective units between 9pm and 7am. During the course of inpatient treatment, the physician may authorize additional absences such as day passes or weekend leave.