Preparing for Hospitalization

What To Bring

Please bring only the minimum essentials necessary. If you are anticipating an overnight stay you may bring personal toilet articles and containers for storing health aids (eye glasses, contact lenses, hearing devices, etc.). Personal articles may be stored in the drawer of your bedside table. Limit your extra clothing to a comfortable dressing gown or pajamas, a robe and slippers.

Please bring your insurance card and/or insurance billing information and your Advanced Directive. If you do not have an Advanced Directive you can complete this form and bring it with you or request one upon admission.

What Not To Bring

Please do not bring actual medications to the hospital unless instructed to do so by your doctor. All medications required to treat your illness will be carefully dispensed by the hospital pharmacists and administered by nurses. Please bring a list of medications you are presently taking. With permission from your doctor, however, you may bring items such as nitroglycerin, eye drops and antacids.

Due to fire and safety regulation, this hospital prohibits patients and their visitors from bringing any electrical appliances into the hospital including electrically powered radios, televisions, razors and hair dryers.

You are advised against bringing a large amount of money or other valuables to the hospital. Mercy Gilbert cannot assume responsibility for loss of any items while at the hospital.

Helpful to Know

Meals
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center provides nutrition assessment, evaluation, counseling and personalized diet instructions for you. Your meals are served daily during the following times:

  • Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. - 9 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner: 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Visitors may call the Dietary Department at (480) 728-7257 to order a guest tray that will be delivered to the patient's room.

Mail, Newspapers, Flowers and Balloons
Mail may be addressed to you at the hospital's address, and is delivered daily except on weekends. Any mail delivered after your discharge will be forwarded to your home

  • Newspapers may be delivered to your room upon request.
  • Flowers are delivered to patient rooms as soon as they arrive. Flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit. They will be sent home with your family/friend or held for you until you are transferred to a nursing unit.
  • Balloons latex allergies can pose a serious health risk for you, employees and volunteers. For everyone's safety, we kindly ask that your visitors do not bring latex balloons into the hospital.

Smoking
Mercy GIlbert is a tobacco free campus. Please refrain from consuming any tobacco products anywhere on the campus, including the parking areas. If you or a loved one would like to quit smoking, please contact the Arizona Smokers Helpline at (800) 556-6222 or visit www.ashline.org.

Telephone
Patient rooms can be reached from outside of the hospital by dialing the 10-digit telephone number assigned to the room or by calling the hospital switchboard at (844) 531-1896.

Interpreter Services
If you need an interpreter, please ask your nurse or other hospital personnel. Sign language interpreters, if required, are also available upon request.

Spiritual Care Services
The healing of the whole person physically, psychologically and spiritually is important to us. A chaplain is available to minister to any spiritual concerns you may have. A chaplain may be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Notify your nurse if you wish to talk with the chaplain or dial "0" and ask for Chaplain Services. You may also contact the chaplain directly at (480) 728-8330. Our chapel is open to you 24 hours a day.