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COVID-19 Resource Center / Patient and Family Resources / What to Expect During Your Stay

What to Expect During Your Stay

At Stanford Health Care, we want to give you guidance on how to prepare for your hospital visit. With our policies on COVID-19 prevention, you can be safe and stay connected with friends and family during your stay.

What You Can and Cannot Bring

We ask that you bring only the belongings necessary for your care. Please keep all other items at home or with family.

For Inpatient/Outpatient Procedures:

Not accepted:

  • Extra clothes
  • Purses, shoulder bags, jewelry
  • Books, framed pictures, blankets

Accepted:

  • Medicines not available at our pharmacy
  • Items needed for care (such as glasses or hearing aids)
  • Phones and mobile devices

MyHealth

MyHealth is a Stanford Health Care app that allows you and your caregiver to stay informed. It delivers updates on your care to your phone or laptop during your hospital stay. You and your caregiver can also learn more about your care team while you are in the hospital.

MyHealth also enables you to have safe and private video visits with your health care team once you leave the hospital.

Be sure to register both you and your caregiver for MyHealth before your surgical procedure.

Enrolling in MyHealth

You can download the MyHealth app from the app store on your smartphone or go directly to the website to register.

Caregiver Access

MyHealth’s feature, “Share Access,” can be your family’s window into your progress during your stay. When you grant share access to a caregiver, they will be able to see:

  • Test results
  • Medications
  • Mobility and pain goals
  • Information related to your discharge plan

Video Calling with Loved Ones

We understand how important it is for you to receive support from your loved ones during your hospital stay. Although some visitors are allowed at Stanford Health Care, video calls can also help you stay connected.

Make sure to bring your mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. If you do not have one, you can ask for an iPad from Guest Services or your care team during your hospital stay.

Before your surgical procedure
  • Talk over how you want to connect with friends and family during your stay.
  • If you want to make video calls, choose an app to use (like Zoom, FaceTime, or others).
  • Download it to your phone or laptop.
  • Do a few test video calls with friends and family at home, before you come to the hospital.
  • Bring device chargers and label them with your first and last name.