If you are a patient in our West Tower — including the Emergency & Critical Care Center or our Women's Health Center — any adult family member or friend, who does not require supervision or physical assistance, may spend the night with you in the hospital. Only one guest at a time may stay overnight.

Some areas of our East Tower can also accommodate overnight guests; please speak with your nurse to make arrangements.

Children may not stay overnight, but are welcome to visit. We ask that young children have a watchful adult present at all times. You may find it helpful to prepare your child in advance for what they might see during their visit. You can always ask your nurse to assist you in explaining various equipment and procedures.

If you are staying overnight as a patient's guest, a sleeper sofa or sleep chair may be available in their room for you to sleep on. All sofas and chairs come with sheets, a blanket, a pillow and a pillowcase. One of our staff members can assist you with any arrangements you may need.

If you would like to bring a laptop computer with you for your stay, free wireless internet connections are available throughout the hospital. We also have several vending machines, a gift shop, cafeteria, ATM and a coffee cart located inside the hospital for your convenience.

You're in great hands with your care team. If at any time you or your family is concerned that something is not right with your health, we offer Code Help — our hospital emergency line for patients and families.

Available 24/7, Code Help is a special service that helps provide a safe care environment for our patients. If you or a loved one has a concern about your health that requires immediate attention or about the approach to your care, you can feel secure in knowing that Code Help can be accessed by dialing 5222 from inside the hospital, or 619-740-5221 from outside the hospital.

Once your doctor determines that you may leave the hospital, they will write an order requesting your discharge. Your care team will then prepare you to leave the hospital. This may take some time, based on your discharge needs and/or arrangements.

Your discharge plan may include how to take care of wound dressings, what medications to take and your physical activity level at home. Before you leave, be sure you understand that you may have some limitations. You should also know whether you will need special care, assistance or equipment following your hospital stay.

Hospital checkout time is 11 am. Please plan your transportation home in advance. If you have secured valuables in the Patient Relations Department, please notify your nurse so you may obtain them before your discharge. A staff member or volunteer will accompany your to the main lobby.

If you have questions regarding your discharge instructions, please ask your doctor or nurse prior to leaving the hospital.