Preparing for your hospital stay

How you get ready to stay at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula depends on many factors, including what medical services you need and whether your admission is sudden or planned.

Get answers to your questions by:

• Asking your doctor
• Contacting Community Hospital staff
• Viewing preparation instructions in your MyChart account if you have one

You also can read general preparation instructions for:

• Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Giving birth at the Family Birth Center
• Lab tests, like blood draws
• Radiology and imaging services, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans
• Surgery

What should I bring to the hospital?

If possible, plan to take:

• Your insurance or health plan card
• An ID, such as your driver's license
• List of your prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies, including the dose, time of day, and reason
• Information about your medical history, such as illnesses, surgeries, and any allergies you have, as well as copies of any recent test results
• List of emergency contact information of friends and family members
• Your advance care directive

We'll provide a hospital gown if needed, daily hygiene necessities, and other items. However, you may want to bring your own:

• Comfortable clothing, including pajamas (avoid snaps and long gowns), bathrobe, underwear, and clothes to wear home
• Sturdy, nonskid slippers or shoes
• Cell phone and charger
• Personal hygiene products, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb or brush, deodorant, and razor (although these items are available at no charge during your stay)

Label your personal items with your name so we can return them if they’re misplaced.

What to leave at home

Don't pack:

• Medicines, supplements, vitamins, or herbal remedies
• Credit cards, your checkbook, or large amounts of money. You may want a small amount of cash to purchase items at Comforts Gift Shop
• Electrical equipment that needs to be plugged in to work. For your safety, you may use only battery-operated personal items, including cell phones and tablets
• Valuables, such as jewelry. If needed, ask your nurse to place valuable items in the hospital safe

Your rights and responsibilities

Review patient rights and responsibilities to learn how we protect your privacy, safety, and well-being.

Hospital admission and care

When it's time to come to Community Hospital for care, you'll be admitted to the hospital. This is a necessary process to make sure we’re ready to best meet your needs.

We put patients like you at the center of all we do. Find out how this approach will shape your experience during your hospital stay.