Visiting Hours and Accommodations

Other family members and friends are welcome in the patient's room between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Usually, only two guests are allowed in the room at a time so the patient can rest better. We understand there may be times where more is appropriate. A lot depends on how the patient feels. If the patient has many visitors, some may want to wait in a public area and take turns visiting the patient. An adult other than the patient must supervise children under age 18. Support from friends and family is important for recovery as is rest and relaxation for the patient. Please understand that rest and relaxation are too.

Waiting Areas
Because many families and visitors use the public waiting areas, we ask that you respect the rights of others who are using this space. Please do not use televisions, radios or other noise-producing items. The Fire Marshal prohibits the use of electrical devices such as: crock pots, coffee makers and food warmers in these areas. Personal belongings should be kept with you or in your vehicle. Bronson is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Food should be consumed in one of the cafeterias - the SkyCourt Café, located on the Garden Level of the South Campus, or the Terrace Café, located on the first floor of the North Campus.

Critical Care Patients
The critical condition of many patients in the Burn, Cardiac Surgery, Coronary Care, Medical Intensive Care, Trauma Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Pediatric Intensive Care units requires special visitor restrictions. Please review visiting guidelines on these units with a unit staff person.

Hospitality House - Overnight Options
Our most comfortable overnight option for family members of patients in critical care units is the Hospitality House. Located just a few blocks from Bronson, the Hospitality House provides lodging for out-of-town families of our patients. It is also open to visitors who are not overnight guests, but who wish to use its shower or kitchen facilities. Although there is no charge to stay at the Hospitality House, donations are welcome. Ask your nurse to contact the hospital chaplain or social worker for a referral. Bronson also has arrangements with area hotels for discounted rates for our patients' families. In addition, there are a limited number of sleep rooms available. Ask your nurse to call the chaplain for more information about either of these options.

We want you to have a pleasant stay with your family member or friend. If there is anything else we can do, please call the operator by dialing "0," visit the nurse's station, or call Patient Relations at (269) 341-8959.

Condition Reports
Keeping patient information private is very important to us. There may be times when the patient wants us to share information with family members or friends. To do this, the patient will be asked to sign the Notice of Privacy Practices form. Then, the patient chooses up to two people to be the key contacts. Each will receive a card with a patient identification number (PIN). We will be able to share information about the patient's condition and status with only these two key contact people.

When the contact person calls Bronson, here is what is needed:

• Contact person's name
• Patient's name
• PIN

Bronson staff will share information with these key contacts anytime. The key contacts may then pass along information to other family members and friends. Another way to keep families and friends informed is with CaringBridge®. This is a free service that allows you to create a personal Web page to write journal entries or share photos.

Media requests for information are handled by Bronson's Media Relations Specialist at (269) 341-8747.

Cell Phones
Cell phones and other electronic devices may be used on vibrate. Most patients heal best in a quiet setting. Please hold your conversations in public areas or waiting rooms so the patient can rest.

Smoking Policy
Bronson has a tobacco-free environment. This includes all patient rooms. Patients may not leave the unit to smoke. Families and visitors may also ask for help. There are other options. Bronson has resources to help you quit.

Parking

North Campus
On Bronson's North Campus, patients and visitors may park in the Jasper Street Ramp for free, seven days a week and holidays. Parking is also available at the corner of Lovell and John streets.

South Campus
Patients, family members and visitors may park in the Vine Street Ramp for free, seven days a week and holidays. Parking is also available at the corner of Vine and Jasper streets, at several lots along Jasper Street, and at Walnut and John streets by the Emergency Department entrance.

Gifts for Patients
Hospital volunteers will bring flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and other gifts Monday through Saturday. If flowers arrive after the patient leaves, they will be returned to the florist. Typically, the florist then delivers them to the patient's home. Latex balloons cannot be brought to the hospital. Many patients and employees have allergies. Please bring Mylar balloons.

Some patients may not be allowed to receive flowers or balloons. Their condition is too fragile. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) may not receive flowers or live plants. This includes patients in the Cardiac Surgical Unit, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Coronary Care Unit and Medical ICU. Patients in the Trauma Care Unit, Surgical ICU and Burn Unit cannot receive balloons, food baskets or any type of real or artificial flowers or plants. When patients leave these intensive care units, then they can get flowers and balloons. Family and friends may want to take them home until then. For more information, call Volunteer Services at (269) 341-8754.

Mail
Hospital volunteers deliver letters and packages to patient rooms Monday through Saturday. Letters and parcels that arrive after the patient leaves the hospital will be sent to the address given on file.

Patient mail should be addressed as follows:

Patient's first and last name
Room number
Bronson Methodist Hospital
601 John Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Patient mail should include a return address. Please avoid using nicknames. If you have concerns about mail delivery, call Volunteer Services at (269) 341-8754.

Shuttle Service
The shuttle service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for travel between the South Campus and North Campus. Phones and benches are located at each stop in the tunnel. Use the phone to call for a ride and rest on the bench while you wait.

Escort Service
For help getting from one location to the next, please contact Bronson's Escort Service at (269) 806-1394 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or, dial "0" from any house phone after hours or on weekends and a hospital representative will assist you.

Chapels
There is a Chapel on the first floor of the East Pavilion and on the first floor of the North Pavilion open 24 hours a day. Visitors of all faith backgrounds are welcome to use it for prayer and meditation.

Gift Shops

South Campus
The South Campus Gift Shop, located just inside the Main Entrance, has a large selection of items for babies, children and adults. It also has cards, fresh flowers, reading materials, and snacks and beverages. Certain gifts, such as food, fresh flowers and live plants, are not allowed in the following areas: critical care, trauma care, intensive care and Burn Unit. Please check with a hospital staff member if you are unsure. South Campus Gift Shop hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Outpatient Pharmacy is located inside the South Campus Gift Shop. Outpatient Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed holidays and weekends. Call (269) 341-6990 for more information. Most prescription insurance plans are accepted. Over-the-counter medicines, as well as various health, beauty and hygiene products are also available.

North Campus
The North Campus Gift Shop and Breastfeeding Center specializes in new mother and baby items. It also has cards, fresh flowers, reading materials, snacks and gift items. Over-the-counter medicines, as well as various health, beauty and hygiene products are also available. It is located on the first floor of the North Pavilion. North Campus Gift Shop and Breastfeeding Center business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.