FAQ

Patients wear comfortable clothes and are not required to wear hospital gowns, however, belts, shoelaces and drawstrings are not allowed. All items will be searched prior to entering the unit. The nursing staff will be happy to answer any questions concerning items patients can or cannot have on the unit. For more information, contact the Anchor Hospital admissions office at 678.251.3226.

Patients will need casual clothes, pajamas and toiletries including a toothbrush, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, hair combs, brushes and other necessities. Hats and sunglasses may be worn outdoors only. Generally, patients should bring clothing for approximately five days. A laundry room is available for patient use.

It is important to practice good personal hygiene daily, such as showering, combing hair, brushing teeth and frequent hand washing. Please contact nursing staff for assistance with any of these tasks or any needed additional toiletries. Patients are asked to help clean up after themselves and keep patient rooms neat. Clean linens are available from housekeeping staff.

Clothing and other items can be dropped off at the reception desk from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. For safety, sanitation, and dietary management purposes, visitors are asked not to bring food items into the facility. There are three daily meals and nightly snacks provided. Food and drinks are not allowed on the unit.
Family members are encouraged to take valuables home. We ask that patients do not keep valuables on the unit for security reasons. We request that credit cards, checks, cash or jewelry be sent home or locked in the hospital safe. The hospital cannot be responsible for lost or missing items. The hospital will only be responsible for those items deposited in the hospital safe.

Although discouraged, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas at designated times between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Please supply your own cigarettes. Matches and lighters are not allowed in patient possession. Please see unit staff for lighters. Smoking outside of designated areas is strictly prohibited, as it is a violation of fire codes. Violation of this policy may result in a loss of smoking privileges. Patients age 17 and under are not permitted to smoke according to Georgia law.

• Lighters, matches and butane lighters
• Belts, shoelaces and drawstring
• Food and drink from outside of the hospital
• Clothing that includes the following are prohibited:
  • Drug, alcohol, sexual, satanic or gang-related messages
  • Tube tops, halter tops or fishnet shirts
  • Short shorts or clothing that is extremely tight
• Objects with sharp edges and points including scissors and loose razor blades
• Glass items including mirrors, flower vases, perfume and aftershave bottles
• Cell phones, camera cell phones and pagers
• Cameras and tape recording devices
• Video and cassette tapes, DVDs and CDs
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, unless with physician order
• Alcohol and items containing alcohol including mouthwash
• Dental floss
• Spray and aerosol cans
• Glue, White-Out, Crazy Glue, etc.
• Street drugs and/or paraphernalia
• Weapons, including knives
• Wire clothes hangers

In addition, the following items are considered as unsafe and must be reported to the charge nurse or mental health assistant (MHA) immediately before entering the unit:

• Curling irons, hot curlers and hairdryer
• Sewing equipment including crochet needles
• Nail polish and remover
• Make-up including compacts with mirrors
• Safety pins, tweezers, nail files and clippers