Adult Inpatient Services are offered to patients 18 years old and older who require admission to hospital due to a mental health crisis. Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years requiring admission will be referred to another inpatient facility. The adult inpatient team consists of psychiatrists, social workers, therapeutic recreation specialists, and clinical nurses who are trained to support you and your family in recovery from mental illness.

What to expect when being admitted

If you are admitted from the Emergency Department, the doctor will determine the level of care you need and admit you to one of the following:

  1. The Main Unit
  2. The Step Down Unit – if you need a higher level of nursing care and observation
  3. The Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) – if you need the highest level of nursing care and observation

Upon admission, an assigned nurse will greet you and complete the admission process.

Please note that Oak Valley Health is a smoke-free environment. There are no smoking/off unit passes.

What to bring to Adult Inpatient Services

Here are some examples of items that you may bring:

  • Three to four days worth of casual, comfortable clothing (items without strings or ties), sleep wear (i.e., pajamas, slippers, robe) and ankle-length socks as there is limited access to laundry facilities
  • Personal toiletries (i.e., toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, electric razor, etc.)
  • Reading material, writing, and small hobby supplies (i.e., pencils, crayons, markers)
  • A physical list of current scheduled medications, including over-the-counter drugs (i.e., vitamins and supplements). Do not bring pill bottles onto the unit unless specifically asked by your doctor or care team

Anything that has a cord must be CSA-approved (they will be stored at the nursing station or in an assigned locker outside of your patient room for safety reasons).

What to leave at home

Please note the unit is an electronic-free environment to enhance recovery and ensure confidentiality and privacy of all patients.

Items not permitted on the unit include cameras, recording devices, cell phones, iPads, valuables (i.e., jewellery, credit cards), contraband/illicit substances, and sharp objects (i.e., tweezers, glass bottles, mirrors, nail clippers, scissors, razor blades, or sewing needles, etc.).

Checking belongings

For safety reasons, all visits start at the nursing station where a staff member will search your belongings when you bring them to the unit. We will store any items for safety reasons to protect patients and/or others in a secure location.

Storing Valuables

All unnecessary valuables should be sent home; otherwise they will be stored in a secure location. They will be returned upon discharge with the exception of prohibited weapons or illegal substances as per the hospital policy. On admission, you will be asked to sign a release that the hospital is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged belongings.

Visiting a Patient

  • Regular visiting hours are Monday to Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Weekend and holiday hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.