We want your stay at St. John’s Mercy to be as comfortable as possible. As you prepare for your visit, please review the information below regarding items that you will need (or may want to have) during your stay with us.

Most insurance companies require pre-certification, or approval of admission, before a scheduled hospital stay. Contact your insurance company to be sure that you have met all their pre-certification requirements before coming to the hospital.

Please bring the following items with you:

• Your insurance card and a photo ID
• A written list of your current medications and dosages (the hospital pharmacy will provide all your medications during your stay)
• An advance directive (written instructions about how you want medical decisions made if you can no longer communicate your wishes), if you have one
  • If you don’t have an Advance Directive but would like information regarding one, inform your nurse upon admittance and he or she will have someone from Pastoral Services contact you.

If you wish, you may bring these items from home:

• Lounge wear
• Comb or hairbrush
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Containers for eyeglasses, contacts or dentures
• Favorite books, magazines and/or music
• Pen and notepad for writing down questions for your doctor or other staff members
• Address book or list of important telephone numbers
• A dollar or two for incidentals, if desired.

Please do not bring these items:

• Large sums of money, credit cards or bank books
• Jewelry or other valuables
• Medications, including over-the-counter products (these will be provided to you by the inpatient pharmacy).