Sheppard Pratt Questions

[claireandfriends]

Hi, I'm trying to find some information about an inpatient stay at the Trauma unit at Sheppard Pratt. I've looked at the website and been researching the program online, but I still have a few questions for those who have been recently. Specifically about what you can bring.

Regarding music, I read that you can bring an Ipod with a speaker as long as the cord was less than 8 inches. But, how are you allowed to charge it? Can they do it for you? Like if I bring a charger?

As far as art, what kind of things can I bring? Colored pencils, crayons, markers? I assume paint is a no no. I know you can bring a journal that has no metal or elastic, and pens that have no springs or metal. But I wasnt sure about the other stuff.

How small is a "small stuffed animal"? I have a 10 inch plushie, and I also have an 18 inch plushie, so I'm just wondering what would be acceptable.

Concerning clothing, how many sets of clothes should I bring? Assuming I stay 3-4 weeks? Also, are underwire bras allowed? I know that you can't have stretchy clothes, but is it cold enough in the hospital to warrant sweatpants the whole time? Are jeans allowed?

It also mentions needing a calling card, for long distance calls, how many minutes should I get? I don't know how quickly they are used up?

I'm not sure what else to ask right now, but these are the questions that I haven't been able to find answers to as of yet. If anyone has any insight about something I havent thought of, please free to message me or reply here. I really appreciate the help, I'm flying into baltimore from jacksonville fl by myself, and I just really want to be prepared as I will be in an unfamiliar place. Thanks!

 

[anthony]

Have you asked them?

 

[claireandfriends]

I thought they would only talk to your therapist? I can try to call them in the morning I guess. I'm just really nervous.

 

[hodge]

Welcome, Claire. I would email or call them with these questions. I don't blame you for being nervous, but it does look like a good program.

Good luck!

 

[joeylittle]

@recoveringfromptsd was there very recently - they may be able to answer some of your questions.

It also mentions needing a calling card, for long distance calls, how many minutes should I get? I don't know how quickly they are used up?

You can find this out by looking at the info about the calling card - the trauma unit won't be able to help you with that.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

@claireandfriends As for calling cards it depends whether you are on the phone with friends, etc. a lot, incoming calls cost nothing, I have the numbers for patient phones if you need them so you can give it out before you go, so you don't have to use minutes calling out to give it out.

I did not have a calling card, but they had a donated card, sometimes they have those, but don't count on it. Mine 8 5 minutes on it, I was there 26 days and it had minutes left on it. I would suggest getting 2 cards, if you end up using the second one that would be the time to have someone send you another. You can get mail and packages there, phones are turned off during groups, otherwise you can use the phone anytime. There are 2 patient phones, one on each end of the unit and one in the middle.

If you have any jitters about going there, let me relax them, I went there, they are the best, the staff are great, and I would not want to go anywhere else for any future hospitalizations, and as far as results, well I am able to function now despite flashbacks, and intensive abuse therapy. The difference is that I could not manage these things, or my safety. I still have safety issues due to the abuse therapy, but unlike before I am able to use what they taught me to manage it and not act on urges. I still struggle, I did not expect miracles, but if I was going thru what I am now before I went to Sheppard Pratt TDU I would have been involuntarily committed already.

So if you're worrying about what will happen there, then you would be worrying for nothing, it would be better to worry about what you want to accomplish there, because that's the first question you will be asked.

If you need any more info let me know.

@joeylittle Thanks for thinking of me.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

Some info on sheppard Pratt TDU on how they conduct person searches.

The use a PTSD/Abuse aware protocol for searching patients for sharps, etc.

The most notable thing about this procedure is it done in such a fashion that
other than your back, and feet they never see your body as that may be triggering

It is done in a treatment room.
Two staff members hold up two sheets, the patient is between them, they are on the other side of each
They do not look over the sheets, except when they check your back, but then your back is all that is bare and your back is facing them.
The sheets are so they don't see your body, so you won't get triggered.
The ask you to drop your bottoms, and shake them out, where they can see them.
Same thing for tops.

These searches are repeated if you have to go off the unit for any reason, and they are done as part of being on a level other than BO.
BO there are no restrictions on the unit, the other levels however there are, depending on the safety needs.

 

[digger]

being on a level other than BO.
BO there are no restrictions on the unit

What is BO please - I'm assuming it's not Body Odour in this context, but I've googled and can't find one that fits?


(Myptsd is an international forum, English is not everyone's first language and even where English is a first language, abbreviations can have different common usage, so are not encouraged.)

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

BO stands for Behavioral Observation, SO stands for Suicide Observation

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I thought it was obvious in this context, some places use colors, some use numbers

 

[Clc122]

Hi, I'm trying to find some information about an inpatient stay at the Trauma unit at Sheppard...

Hi there. I hope this is not too late. I was at SP in October. It was a good program for me. The staff is very compassionate and the doctors FINALLY fixed my medication so that I am neither a zombie or a charged ball of anxiety. SOme answers:

1. You can get staff or your social worker to charge up your devices. The key is timing. They are not obligated to do so. If you ask during a really busy time or when somebody is obviously working with someone else, then you probably won't get your stuff charged. I wear a fit bit and my social worker was kind enough to charge it for me during my stay. But MAKE SURE THE CORD is short enough. Even better if you have wireless headphones. The rules are not too bad but they are pretty militant about the ones they have.

2. Yep. Bring a journal or two but do make sure the binding is not with anything metal or wire. As far as pens and pencils were concerned--I had several pens that I removed the metal clips from and they were fine. I know somebody else on the unit had a big bag of colored gel pens and that was okay. They have paint there and you'll have plenty of art therapy (probably my only complaint---I think the program would be better if one of the many art classes was a yoga class or something that makes you move around because you are stuck inside 24/7--sitting most of the time.

3. Not exactly sure on the stuffed animal but I would go with the smaller one to be on the safe side.

4. My bras are underwire and I had no problems. I did find the unit to be a bit chilly at times so yes, I would go with sweat pants and jeans. JUST MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE DRAWSTRINGS OUT. If you don't you'll have to do it there in order to keep them. Most of all, just make sure you follow the spandex guideline (I think it is no more than 7% spandex or something like that). I had two tops that were 9% spandex and I was not allowed to have them.

5. Calling card. This depends on the length of your stay but if you get one with 500 minutes, I think that is a safe bet. If you have leftover, you can always leave it on the unit for those who don't come in with one.

Also, if you have some favorite food, bring it with you. It just be in its original packing when you arrive. You will get a cubby space for food you bring along. I am GF so I brought gluten free snacks and some sodas. If you have a quesy stomach, bring Gatorade or ginger ale. Some of the medication changes made my stomach go haywire.

Good luck and hope this helps. It will be worth it.

 

[joeylittle]

(probably my only complaint---I think the program would be better if one of the many art classes was a yoga class or something that makes you move around because you are stuck inside 24/7--sitting most of the time.

That's good feedback. I have no idea if they'd listen, but if you have a mechanism to send a note to them, either through your therapist or via a contact us follow up, I'd encourage you to do so.

And thanks for posting on this thread.