Frequently Asked Questions

Smoking is prohibited on the hospital grounds. If you are a smoker, nicotine replacement options are available with an order from the attending doctor. Assistance with smoke cessation is also available if you wish.

Patients will be able to go on off-hall breaks with staff and other patients once they are placed on staff escort (SE) level. In general, newly admitted patients are not placed on SE as the team needs time to asses each patient’s level of safety. This assessment time is variable based upon individual safety issues. 

 

Weather permitting, groups may be held on a screened-in terrace on the unit.

This is a matter that will be discussed between you and your inpatient treatment team, and varies depending on your individual treatment issues. Due to federal HIPAA guidelines, you will be asked to sign a consent form for the release of any personal information. Phone contact and/or family meetings are available with your assigned social worker depending on individual treatment issues. For some patients, family contact is not advisable and this will also be discussed.

Visiting hours are: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 - 2 p.m. and 6 - 7 p.m.

 

Visitors must be over 12 years old. Only one visitor is allowed at a time to minimize the risk given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Outpatient therapists and psychiatrists are a critical part of each patient’s treatment team. They will be contacted during the hospital stay, usually shortly after admission and then close to discharge. Additional communication with outpatient providers is based on individual treatment issues and plans. In general, unless other specific arrangements are made with the treatment team, while on the Trauma Disorders unit, patients may speak with their outpatient treatment team one time per week for a brief check-in of about 15 minutes. This contact should be scheduled and the treatment team made aware of when it will be occurring.

One of our attending psychiatrists will be assigned to you for medication management. The psychiatrist will review your medications and write orders as needed. There are times when a change in medications is clinically indicated. Your inpatient psychiatrist will discuss your options, the risks and benefits of each change, and possible side effects to help you make an informed decision. The inpatient doctor may be in contact with your outpatient doctor to discuss medication/medical issues. Any medications you bring from home must be in their original container and will be stored in the hospital pharmacy until your discharge from the unit. At times, when clinically indicated, medications brought from home may be used in your inpatient care. Per hospital policy, any loose or unlabeled medications will be disposed of.

 

Sheppard Pratt does not permit the use of herbal preparations.

Address: 6501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204

If driving, parking is free and secure but limited.

If traveling by plane, the closest airport is Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), which is located approximately 40-45 minutes from the hospital.

If traveling by train or bus, Penn Station is 15 minutes south of the hospital.

To get from the airport/bus station to Sheppard Pratt you may take a taxi/cab, travel via MTA bus (#3 goes directly to Sheppard Pratt), or take the Super Shuttle (800-258-3826) from the airport.

Patients are responsible for getting themselves to the hospital and we are unable to provide any funds for transportation.

ITEMS THAT ARE PROHIBITED PER HOSPITAL POLICY - NO EXCEPTIONS MADE:

Alcoholic beverages

Aerosol containers

Art supplies with metal or labeled as toxic

Batteries

Belts

Bleach/cleaning products

Bobby pins

Canes with heavy metal top

Cans

Can openers

Cassette tapes

CDs and CD players

Clothing with inappropriate logos or images

Clothing with numerous buckles/strings

Drawstrings

Drug paraphernalia

DVDs and books with sexual content, violence and/or obscene language

Elastic Hairbands

Electric toothbrushes

Electronic fidget spinners

Essential oils

Eyelash curlers

Fans (electric or battery operated)

Flowers with thorns

Gauze wrap/cling wrap/ACE bandages

Glass/ceramics items

Hair dryers/curling irons/flat irons

Hair picks

Hangers both metal and plastic

Headphones/ear buds with cords

Heating pads including Thermacare pads

Heavy/metal belt buckles

Heavy boots

Herbal remedies or supplements

iPods with cameras, internet access or metal clips

Items that may have internet access/capabilities that may include but are not limited to: laptops, Kindle/Nook or other electronic reading devices, cell phones, iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch

Liquid glue

Jewelry that is heavy, sharp, or long

Journals with elastic bands

Knee high socks

Laundry baskets (plastic or mesh) or large plastic containers

Loofahs

Matches/lighters

Tobacco products

Metal hair accessories

Metal nail files

Metal picture frames

Mirrors

Musical instruments

Oil-based products

Pens with metal clips or extra fine or ultra-fine tips or internal springs

Permanent markers

Personal bedding and blankets

Personal electric appliances with cords

Personal towels/washcloths

Plastic bags

Purses, bags, or luggage with long straps

Recording devices (sound or images) including cameras or webcams

Rubber bands

Scarves/bandanas

Sharpeners of any kind

Sharps: paper clips, personal scissors, pins, razor blades, x-acto knives, etc.

Shaving cream

Shoe laces

Spiked heel or platform shoes

Spiral notebooks/3-ring binders

Splints/braces with metal, long straps or highly stretchable material

Staple-bound legal pads

Steel toe shoes

Straight razor blades

Stuffed animals

Tights/nylons/spandex clothing (more than 5% spandex is prohibited)

Toxic paint

Two-way radios and beepers

VHS tapes

Weapons of any kind

 

Please note that upon admission both your person and your belongings will be searched by staff for prohibited items. This is for your safety, as well as the safety of others on the unit. We ask that you bring all needed items with you to admissions. Once admissions paperwork is signed, you will be unable to return to your car for additional belongings.

 

Any prohibited items found in your suitcase will be stored in your suitcase off the hall until discharge.

You are permitted to receive mail. However, you may not receive packages of items once admitted to the unit.