For Patients
Our patients and their families come first! That’s why we do everything we can to help you get better and stay better – and that includes making your stay with us as stress-free as possible.
If you have a question, please ask your floor or unit nurse – or, while you are in other parts of the medical center, any University of Michigan Health staff person. Our staff are easily identifiable by the picture ID they wear, and they are always happy to help.
Patient Privacy
U-M Health has always been committed to protecting patients' medical information, even before the Federal government created laws for the use and protection of medical and health information by hospitals, clinics and other medical practices. The Federal laws and related regulations come from the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These are national rules hospitals and providers must follow to provide all patients in the U.S. with standard privacy protections.
Voting Info for Patients
Patients experiencing an unexpected hospitalization may face challenges in exercising their right to vote. U-M Health is committed to nonpartisan conversation and support around voting, to empower patients to make an informed plan to vote, while adhering to public health guidance.
Patient Information
University of Michigan Health welcomes the presence of loved ones because we know how important it is for their healing to family and friends with them during hospitalization, and we know that informed family members lead to better outcomes for patients.
If, prior to admission, you have a temperature, runny nose or cough; have been exposed recently to mumps, measles, chicken pox or rubella; have vomiting, diarrhea or a rash; or have symptoms you feel would inhibit treatment, please contact your physician or clinic before coming to the hospital. Any of these symptoms may result in canceling the admission, and a phone call could prevent an unnecessary trip.
If you plan on having your baby at U-M, be sure to review the information at Delivering at U-M Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. You’ll learn about tours of the birth center, what you need to prepare for labor and delivery, when to come to the hospital, where to park, admission into the labor and delivery unit, your baby’s birth certificate and preparing to go home.
Our Patient Food and Nutrition Services teams prepare healthful and nutritious food, in keeping with the patient's medical condition, treatment plan, and individual preferences. Religious dietary concerns are also addressed. Please talk with your nurse if you have questions.
To help you prepare for your hospital stay, we’ve prepared the following basic list of items to bring with you. Please check with your doctor to find out if there are specific items you should or shouldn’t bring in addition to those listed on this page. For expectant mothers, our birth center resources page has additional advice on what to bring to the hospital
- Health insurance cards or documentation that includes the insurance company name and policy number
- Your U-M blue hospital registration card if you have one. If you don’t have one, you will get one when you’re here.
- Copy of referral, if appropriate
- Picture identification
- A list of over-the-counter and prescription medications you have recently, or are currently, taking. Be sure to include the medication names, dosage amounts and number of times taken. Please do not bring in the medications themselves. They will be sent home or stored in Security.
- A phone charger
- A phone card to use when making long-distance calls
- Please feel free to bring any toiletry items from home that would make your stay more comfortable. There are basic toiletries available, if needed.
- If you are using an MP3 player, video game or laptop with sound, please make sure to bring and use headphones to help us maintain an environment that is respectful to all patients and visitors.
Do not bring
- Please leave valuables (i.e., jewelry, large sums of money, computers, etc.) at home. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for lost or misplaced valuables. If you must bring any of these items, we ask that you place them in the hospital safe for the duration of your stay. Credit cards should be secured on your person at all times.
- Please do not bring your medications. Instead, bring a list of all medications you are taking.
Gifts of Art brings the world of art & music to U-M Health. Its programs utilize the arts to assist and enhance the healing process, reduce stress, support human dignity and renew the spirit.
- For patients:
- Bedside Music
- Bedside Art
- Story Studio
- For patients, families & visitors:
- Art Galleries
- Performances
- Friends Meditation Garden & Nichols Arboretum
- Art Collections
Spiritual care
Chaplains are clinically trained clergy/religious leaders who specialize in offering spiritual and emotional care and support to patients and their families. Chaplains listen to what is important to each person and remain sensitive to differences in culture, religion and lifestyles. Our chaplains represent a variety of religions and faith traditions. They have a list of local congregations and can arrange a visit from a religious leader of your choosing. Chaplains are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Outside of those hours, an on-call chaplain is available. Call 734-936-4041 for more information. The Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital chapel is located on the second floor, room 2780, and is open 24 hours a day. Learn more about spiritual care.
Exercise
Exercise is a proven stress-reducer. An exercise room is available on level 8 for inpatient families to use.
The Wayne and Shelly Jones Family Center on level 2 of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital is dedicated to meeting a family’s special needs in a comfortable and relaxing environment. The Family Center offers consultation rooms for private conversations and meetings, resources, internet access, special events, sibling support programs, and access to guest assistance program (GAP) services.
The Michigan Game Day Experience room is a Michigan sports-themed space available for children, teens and their siblings to play at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The space is divided into zones that reflect the Michigan sports experience and includes areas for both active and quiet play. All children under 16 must be with an adult who will sign the child in and remain in the play space. Children under isolation/precautions are not allowed in the play space. The Michigan Game Day Experience room is open 7 days a week; hours vary.
The Women’s Health Resource Center offers connections to community organizations and programs, a wide variety of educational health resources, as well as access to classes and seminars.
Each inpatient room has free access to the GetWellNetwork, which transforms a patient’s TV into an interactive patient care experience that invites patients and families to participate in their care. The GetWellNetwork can be used to:
- Learn more about health, procedures and medication
- Communicate with hospital staff
- Watch television and on-demand movies
- E-mail family and friends
- Surf the Internet
- Play games
- Access information about hospital services and facilities
- Provide feedback about the hospital stay
Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital is completely wireless; therefore, you will be able to connect to the Internet anywhere throughout the hospital using your laptop. Computers with Internet access are also available in the Family Center, and we provide personal internet access at every bedside, all at no cost to the patient, through the GetWellNetwork. In addition, separate wall jacks have been installed to provide connections for personal laptops.
Guests may purchase gifts, magazines, cosmetics, candy, toys, games, books, cards, clothing, flowers and more at our volunteer-staffed Carousel Gift Shop on Level 2 of the Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital building.
