Security and Safety at Grand Rapids Hospitals

Grand Rapids hospitals are committed to providing a safe, secure environment for patients, families, and staff. Whether you are receiving care at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), or Mercy Health, you can expect robust hospital security and patient safety systems designed to protect you during your stay.

Local health systems work closely with the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health to maintain high standards of safety, privacy, and infection control—especially important in West Michigan’s cold winters, when respiratory illnesses and hospital admissions often increase.

Hospital Security in Grand Rapids, MI

How Grand Rapids Hospitals Keep You Safe

Hospitals in Grand Rapids use a range of modern security measures to protect patients, visitors, and staff from inappropriate behavior, including violence and aggression. These may include:

  • CCTV (video surveillance) in public and high‑risk areas
  • Duress / panic alarms for staff members
  • Electronic access control systems for restricted areas and entrances
  • Visitor check‑in and identification procedures
  • Collaboration with local law enforcement and on‑site public safety officers

Security Staff and Public Safety Officers

Most major Grand Rapids hospitals, including downtown hospital campuses, employ trained security staff or public safety officers. Their role is to:

  • Monitor hospital grounds and parking areas
  • Respond quickly to incidents or emergencies
  • Support staff in managing aggressive or disruptive behavior
  • Assist visitors who feel unsafe or need help finding their way

If you ever feel unsafe while in a Grand Rapids hospital, you can ask any staff member to contact security immediately.

Visitor Responsibilities and Hospital Etiquette

Respecting Visiting Hours and Rest Periods

As a hospital visitor in Grand Rapids, it is important to:

  • Follow posted visiting hours for each unit or ward
  • Respect quiet times and rest periods so patients can heal
  • Limit the number of visitors at the bedside when requested by staff

During winter months and respiratory virus season (flu, COVID‑19, RSV), local hospitals may adjust visiting rules to protect vulnerable patients. Check the hospital’s website or call ahead before visiting.

Bringing Gifts and Food

Before bringing a gift or food to a loved one in a Grand Rapids hospital, check with the unit or nursing staff. Some areas do not allow:

  • Potted plants or fresh flowers (often restricted in intensive care or oncology units)
  • Outside food, especially items that need heating, refrigeration, or special handling
  • Homemade foods, due to food safety and allergy concerns

Hospitals follow strict food safety regulations to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. When in doubt, ask staff what is allowed.

Behaving Respectfully

Seeing a loved one in pain or distress can be emotionally difficult. However:

  • Always be courteous to hospital staff, other patients, and visitors
  • Speak calmly and follow staff instructions
  • Never threaten, yell at, or physically confront staff or other visitors

Physical or verbal abuse toward staff, patients, family members, or visitors will not be tolerated. Security or local police may be called, and aggressive visitors can be asked to leave or be restricted from visiting.

Code of Behavior and Zero‑Tolerance Policies

What Grand Rapids Hospitals Enforce

Health services in Grand Rapids enforce a clear code of behavior. They do not tolerate:

  • Physical aggression or assault
  • Verbal abuse, threats, or harassment
  • Intimidation, stalking, or disruptive behavior

Security staff or Grand Rapids police may remove visitors who do not comply. These policies help ensure that hospitals remain safe healing environments for everyone.

Patient Identification and Safety Checks

ID Bands and Correct Treatment

To ensure you receive the right treatment:

  • You will be given an identification (ID) band to wear on your wrist or ankle (sometimes both)
  • Your ID band includes your name and other key details
  • You must wear your ID band for your entire hospital stay

Hospital staff will check your ID band before:

  • Giving you any medication
  • Performing tests, procedures, or surgery
  • Moving you to another unit or department

If your ID band is uncomfortable, damaged, or missing, tell your nurse immediately.

Staff Identification and Background Checks

All Grand Rapids hospital staff members:

  • Undergo background and credential checks before employment
  • Are required to display a hospital ID badge at all times
  • Are trained in patient privacy, safety, and infection control

If someone approaches you without a visible ID badge, you have the right to ask who they are and what their role is.

Protecting Your Personal Health Information

Privacy and Information Security

Hospitals in Grand Rapids are required by law (including HIPAA) to protect your personal health information. Staff must take reasonable precautions to prevent:

  • Accidental loss or misplacement of your records
  • Unauthorized access or viewing of your information
  • Improper use, disclosure, or sharing of your data

Only staff directly involved in your care or hospital operations may access your information, and they must keep it confidential.

What to Do if You Have Concerns

If you believe your personal health information has been:

  • Improperly accessed
  • Shared without your consent
  • Lost or mishandled

You should report it to:

  • The nurse in charge of your unit or ward
  • The hospital’s patient liaison / patient relations department
  • The hospital privacy office (contact information is usually on the hospital’s website)

You may also contact the Kent County Health Department or state agencies if you need additional guidance.

Infection Prevention in Grand Rapids Hospitals

Healthcare‑Associated Infections

All hospitals have infection control policies and dedicated infection prevention teams. Despite these efforts, some patients may still develop healthcare‑associated infections, such as:

  • Lung or chest infections (pneumonia)
  • Wound infections after surgery
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Bloodstream infections

Cold winters and Great Lakes weather in West Michigan can increase respiratory infections like flu, COVID‑19, and RSV, making infection control especially important in Grand Rapids hospitals.

How Hospitals Reduce Infection Risk

Hospitals use many strategies to reduce infection risk, including:

  • Hand hygiene protocols for staff, patients, and visitors
  • Cleaning and disinfecting rooms and equipment
  • Using sterile techniques for procedures and IV lines
  • Isolation precautions when needed (for contagious illnesses)

How You and Your Visitors Can Help

You can lower your infection risk by:

  • Washing your hands properly, especially:
    • After using the toilet
    • Before eating
    • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
  • Using hand sanitizer when entering and leaving your room
  • Asking friends and relatives who are sick (with colds, flu, COVID‑19, or other illnesses) not to visit
  • Doing deep breathing exercises if recommended by your care team, to help prevent chest infections
  • Telling your nurse if:
    • Your IV site is red, sore, swollen, or not clean and dry
    • Your dressings are loose, wet, or dirty
    • Any tubes or catheters feel uncomfortable or appear to have moved

If you are unsure whether you should visit a hospital in Grand Rapids due to illness or recent exposure, call the hospital or check their website for current visitor guidelines.

Preventing Falls in the Hospital

Why Falls Are a Concern

The risk of falling increases with:

  • Age
  • The number of times someone has been in the hospital
  • Certain medications, surgery, or medical conditions

During your hospital stay, you may feel unsteady because of:

  • Illness or weakness
  • Pain medications or sedatives
  • Recent surgery
  • Being unfamiliar with the hospital environment

Falls can lead to:

  • Minor skin abrasions
  • Sprains or joint dislocations
  • Fractures
  • Head injuries

These injuries can mean a longer hospital stay and a slower recovery.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling

To stay safe:

  • Keep personal items (phone, glasses, water) and the call button within easy reach
  • Use the call button and ask for help if you feel at all unsteady getting out of bed or going to the bathroom
  • Make sure pajamas, robes, and clothing are not too long or loose, so you don’t trip
  • Wear well‑fitting, non‑slip footwear (avoid loose slippers or socks alone)
  • If you wear pressure stockings, always wear slippers or shoes over them to prevent slipping
  • Use a walking aid (such as a cane or walker) if recommended, and do not walk without it

Tell your nurse if you feel dizzy, weak, or unsure on your feet. Staff can assess your fall risk and put extra precautions in place.

Preventing Pressure Injuries (Bedsores)

What Are Pressure Injuries?

Pressure injuries (also called pressure sores or bedsores) are wounds that develop when an area of skin is under constant pressure. They can:

  • Cause pain and discomfort
  • Increase infection risk
  • Slow recovery and lengthen your hospital stay

People at higher risk include those who:

  • Have limited mobility
  • Are older adults
  • Have poor nutrition, dehydration, or certain chronic conditions
  • Are in bed or a chair for long periods

Your Care Plan for Pressure Injury Prevention

If you are assessed as high‑risk, hospital staff will follow a care plan that may include:

  • Using special pressure‑relieving mattresses, cushions, or pads
  • Frequently checking your skin for early signs of redness or breakdown
  • Helping you change your position regularly (in bed and in chairs)
  • Keeping your skin clean, dry, and protected
  • Ensuring your nutrition and fluid intake are appropriate

You can help by:

  • Letting staff know if any area of your skin feels sore, numb, or unusually warm
  • Cooperating with scheduled repositioning, even if you feel tired
  • Drinking fluids and eating as recommended, unless your doctor has given you restrictions

Electrical Appliance Safety

Personal Electrical Items in the Hospital

To reduce fire and electrical risks, many Grand Rapids hospitals have policies about personal electrical devices. These may include:

  • Hair dryers, curling irons, or straighteners
  • Mobile phone chargers or docking stations
  • CPAP machines or other electrical medical devices brought from home

For your safety:

  • Tell staff about any electrical items you bring with you
  • Do not plug in personal devices until they have been inspected and approved by hospital maintenance or an electrician if required
  • Use only hospital‑approved power outlets and extension cords

Hospitals follow national fire and electrical safety standards to protect patients and staff.

Food Safety in the Hospital

Outside Food and Beverages

To prevent foodborne illness and allergic reactions, hospitals typically:

  • Do not allow outside food that needs to be heated or refrigerated
  • May restrict certain foods in specialized units (such as transplant or oncology wards)
  • Encourage visitors to check with nursing staff before bringing food

If you have cultural, religious, or personal dietary needs, let your care team or dietitian know. Grand Rapids hospitals can usually accommodate vegetarian, halal, kosher, gluten‑free, and other specialized diets.

Medication Safety in Grand Rapids Hospitals

Checks Before You Receive Medication

To minimize the risk of medication errors, hospitals use multiple safety checks:

  • Nurses confirm your identity using your ID band before giving any medication
  • Staff verify the medication name, dose, route, and timing
  • Electronic prescribing and bar‑code scanning may be used to add extra layers of safety

Do Not Take Outside Medications Without Approval

While you are in the hospital:

  • Do not take any medications (including vitamins, herbal supplements, CBD products, or over‑the‑counter drugs) without your medical team’s knowledge and approval
  • Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take at home
  • Inform staff about any allergies or past reactions to medications

Even products you consider “natural” can interact with your prescribed medications or affect your treatment.

Keeping Your Valuables Safe

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

Theft can occur in any public setting, including hospitals. To protect your belongings:

  • Do not bring jewelry, large amounts of cash, or valuable electronics
  • Bring only essential items (basic toiletries, glasses, hearing aids, phone, and a small amount of money for small purchases)
  • Clearly label all your belongings with your full name
  • Keep everyday items in marked cases or bags

If you are admitted through the emergency department:

  • Ask a trusted friend or family member to take your valuables home
  • If that’s not possible, ask if the hospital can secure your valuables in a safe; you should receive a receipt if items are stored by the hospital

Special Care for Dentures, Glasses, and Hearing Aids

To avoid loss or damage:

  • Ask for a labeled denture cup and use it when you are not wearing your dentures
  • Do not wrap dentures in tissues or place them under your pillow
  • Store glasses and hearing aids in a consistent, safe place when not in use
  • Tell staff if any of these items go missing

Keeping Children Safe in Grand Rapids Hospitals

Visitor Access and Supervision

Children’s hospitals and pediatric units in Grand Rapids have extra safety measures, such as:

  • Limited visitor access after hours (usually parents and legal guardians only)
  • Visitor restrictions during outbreaks of flu, RSV, or other contagious illnesses
  • Secure entrances and check‑in procedures for pediatric areas

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay involved in their child’s care and may be able to:

  • Participate in bathing, feeding, and comforting their child
  • Help administer medications under nurse supervision, if appropriate
  • Stay overnight in the child’s room when space allows

Identification and Security for Children

To keep children safe:

  • Pediatric patients wear ID bands on the wrist or ankle (or both)
  • Staff verify a child’s identity before giving medication, performing tests, or transporting them
  • Only authorized adults may take the child off the unit or out of the hospital

If you are unsure about any person’s role in your child’s care, ask to see their hospital ID badge and clarify their position.

Where to Get Help and More Information

If you have questions or concerns about safety, security, or your care while in a Grand Rapids hospital:

  • Talk to your nurse or the charge nurse on your unit
  • Ask to speak with the patient liaison or patient relations department
  • Contact hospital security if you feel unsafe or witness suspicious behavior

For broader public health information or to report concerns, you can also contact:

  • Kent County Health Department – for community health and safety resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health – for local health alerts and guidance

Your safety, privacy, and dignity are central to the care provided by Grand Rapids hospitals, and you are encouraged to speak up whenever something does not feel right.

Key Points

  • As a hospital visitor in Grand Rapids, respect visiting hours and patient rest periods.
  • Wear your ID band at all times so staff can identify you and provide the correct treatment.
  • Staff will always check your ID band before giving medication or performing procedures.
  • All staff who access your personal health information must keep it secure and confidential.
  • The risk of falling increases with age and hospital stays; ask for help if you feel unsteady.