Information for Patients and Families

Bournewood Hospital is a full-service, independent psychiatric hospital that serves patients of all ages, all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and all diagnostic categories within a range of inpatient, partial hospital and outpatient services. Its services are designed to meet the specific needs of adults and adolescents at the most clinically appropriate and least restrictive level of care.

All of Bournewood's programs incorporate the latest advances in psychiatric care within a nurturing and supportive environment. To this end, Bournewood's highly trained staff is committed to providing individualized care and support for patients as they address the challenges that their conditions present.

Here are some important facts for patients and their families about what they can expect during their stay at Bournewood Hospital.

Providing Safe, Effective Care

Safety is an essential aspect of care at Bournewood Hospital and the staff actively encourages patients to participate in helping to meet this goal. Bournewood welcomes any ideas or suggestions to help the Hospital improve the safety of its programs. It also welcomes input from family members, who are invited to contact staff with any suggestions or concerns.

Patient Rights

Bournewood Hospital adheres to the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health's five fundamental rights for all patients. These rights cannot be restricted unless there are compelling reasons as determined by the treatment team and attending physician. The five fundamental rights address issues regarding:

  1. access to the telephone and privacy of calls;
  2. ability to receive and send mail and to have the writing materials and postage to do so;
  3. access to receive visitors at reasonable times;
  4. the right to receive or refuse visits from clergy, attorneys and therapists;
  5. the right to a humane psychological and physical treatment environment. Bournewood supports these rights, as well as the federal government's Consumer Bill of Rights, which includes:
    1. the right to be safe;
    2. the right to choose freely;
    3. the right to be heard;
    4. the right to be informed;
    5. the right to education;
    6. the right to service.

We also support the patient's responsibility for seeking and accepting care that is defined in the federal Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities available at http://www.hcqualitycommission.gov/.

The Role of Families

Bournewood's clinical staff members encourage the involvement of family and friends in developing treatment plans for patients. The staff understands that these loved ones often provide crucial support to patients and also offers important insight into patients' emotions and behaviors. In return, the clinical staff provides families with help, support and education through meetings, formal group sessions and informal discussions.

Program Expectations

In order to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, Bournewood Hospital has certain expectations. Patients are responsible for respecting the following policies and adhering to them throughout their stay:

  • Bournewood Hospital is a smoke-free facility; smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas.
  • Patients may take only medications prescribed by a Bournewood physician or other prescribing clinician while on our campus. The possession and use of alcohol or any other drugs, including nonprescribed medication or contraband, is prohibited.
  • Sexual activity between patients is not allowed.
  • Attendance in groups is mandatory.
  • Random urine screens are initiated at the discretion of staff.
  • The use of cell phones is prohibited. Visitors are also discouraged from using these devices on the Hospital campus, especially those with photo capability, to ensure privacy of all our patients.
  • All valuables should be left at home, as the Hospital cannot be responsible for their safekeeping.
  • Physical or verbal threats or acts of violence toward other patients, visitors or staff members will not be tolerated.

Patients who do not adhere to these policies may be assessed for administrative discharge from the Hospital. The decision to discharge a patient will be made by the treatment team in conjunction with the attending psychiatrist. Patients who do not agree with a decision related to discharge may appeal the decision by asking to speak with the Medical Director. Patients who are unwilling to accept what the team considers essential treatment recommendations or who seem unlikely to benefit from the treatment offered in the program may also be discharged. Further, any patient who engages in verbal threats or physical contact may require assessment for immediate discharge.

Guidelines for Calling Patients

Phone calls to patients may be received on the pay phones in their designated units until 10 p.m. every day. We ask that calls be limited to 10 minutes as a courtesy to other patients. Please note that cell phones are not permitted on the patient units. Staff can assist patients who may not have funds for phone calls by offering the use of a unit phone. The phone numbers for unit pay phones are as follows:

  • Dodge I: (617) 676-3551 or (617) 676-3421
  • Dodge II: (617) 676-3482 or (617) 676-3429
  • Emerson I: (617) 676-3552 or (617) 676-3528
  • Emerson II: (617) 676-3555 or (617) 676-3471
  • Stedman Intensive Treatment Unit: (617) 676-3556

What Patients Should Bring

Patients should bring three days' worth of comfortable clothing with them. Coats and other outdoor clothing and accessories appropriate for the season are also recommended. Bournewood is able to provide only limited laundry service by staff, so patients are encouraged to have laundry done by family whenever possible.

Patient Discharge and Transportation

Patients being discharged may be picked up by 11 a.m. on the day of release in most cases. Any patient who requires an earlier discharge time can arrange this with the treatment team. Bournewood Hospital also offers transportation for patients on a scheduled basis to and from the Forest Hills Train Station on the Orange Line and Cleveland Circle on the Green Line. Other arrangements can be made on an individual basis. No patient vehicles are allowed overnight on the campus.

The Importance of Aftercare

Patients are strongly encouraged to have effective support systems in place when they leave the Hospital. Staff will coordinate continued treatment with their outpatient providers whenever possible and will encourage them to connect with appropriate community resources as part of their aftercare plan.

Privacy Information

Information concerning patients' medical or physical conditions is confidential. Under federal HIPAA law, hospital and healthcare workers are prohibited from discussing or providing "Personal Health Information" (or PHI) to anyone without prior written permission from the patient or from his or her legal guardian. Penalties for violating this law can be severe and hospitals strictly adhere to its regulations.

For More Information

Patients have the right to express their concerns about any safety or medical issues and are encouraged to contact us if they have any issues they would like to discuss. In such cases, they may call (617) 469-0300 and ask to speak to the Human Rights Officer or leave a message for him or her at extension 657. Patients may also speak with any member of their treatment team.

People with additional concerns or who find this avenue unsatisfactory may bring these concerns to the attention of the Department of Mental Health at dmhinfo@dmh.state.ma.us or at (617) 626-8000; The Joint Commission at complaint@jointcommission.org or at (800) 994-6610; or the Department of Public Health at (617) 624-6000.