Your loved one is hospitalized, or your best friend just had her baby, and you want to send them a get-well gift or a congratulations gift. Easy, right? Maybe not. There are several factors to consider when sending a gift to a hospital patient. Hospital gifting policies and an incorrectly addressed package are just a few reasons your thoughtful gift can become a gifting disaster. Avoid common pitfalls in hospital patient gifting with these helpful tips!
Know The Address
You may be surprised to learn that gifts sent to hospitals often do not reach the intended patient. Incorrectly addressed packages are usually the reason. Forgetting to include a room number or department, or including multiple recipient names, can lead to delivery disasters!
To ensure your gift is delivered on time, please include the recipient's room number or department on the package. For example, add "maternity ward" or "Intensive Care Unit" after the hospital name in the delivery address. Also, make sure the hospital's address is written correctly. Some hospitals require a building name or other information listed in the address.
When in doubt, contact the hospital to inquire about their delivery policies or visit their website for specific delivery instructions. Always ask how your package should be addressed. It's the best way to avoid delivery delays that could result in your gift being returned.
Delivery Takes Longer Than You Think
UPS, FedEx, and USPS drivers do not deliver to the patient's room. Packages are left at the hospital's reception desk or mail room. Hospital staff or volunteers are responsible for giving gifts to patients. Please note that it may take several hours or more for your gift to reach the patient's room after it is delivered to the hospital. The staff often delivers all patient gifts simultaneously. It's doubtful your gift will be the first one they provide.
Make sure the recipient is not being released on the day the gift arrives. When a package arrives the same day a patient is discharged, the gift often fails to be delivered! Adding a signature confirmation at delivery will save you time and frustration if you need to troubleshoot delivery issues, especially if your gift is perishable, temperature sensitive, time critical, or of high value. According to our customer service team, the number one reason hospital gifts are not received is that they arrive on the same day the patient is discharged.
Be Mindful of Dietary Restrictions
Physicians often prescribe special diets to their patients. For instance, a patient on a cholesterol-restricted diet would be limited on the amounts of meat, poultry, fried foods, egg yolks, whole milk products, and saturated fats they can eat. But they typically would be able to consume lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. A fruit basket would be a healthy gift option for this patient. If you have questions about patient diet restrictions, the hospital's nutrition services department is a great resource. Larger hospitals often include diet restrictions information on their websites.
Hospital Gift Restrictions
It's well known that ICUs rarely allow flower or plant gifts. Still, it is also common for cardiac care, pediatric, labor, and delivery units to ban flower and plant deliveries too. As more hospitals follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations, it's best to double-check hospital gift policies before making a purchase. Other often-banned gifts include latex and mylar balloons, stuffed animals, candles, and even cell phones! Gifts that patients may be allergic to are also frequently banned. If the gift recipient is terminal or a hospice patient, check with the hospital, hospice, or family members about dietary or other restrictions before purchasing your gift.
Perishable Items May Spoil
Cheesecake gifts may be their favorite, but are probably not the best gift to send a hospital patient. As mentioned, hospitals may not deliver your gift promptly. It's too risky to send a gift that could spoil. If you'd like to send a fruit basket, two-day or overnight shipping will reduce the possibility of the gift arriving spoiled. The same concern applies to fresh cheese or baked goods gifts. Overnight or two-day shipping is always the best choice. Send chocolate-covered gifts to the patient after they are home to avoid a melted gift disaster.
Customer Service Can Help
When in doubt, call the gift company's customer service team to place your order. They are experts in gift delivery and will know how to address your package properly. They can also recommend gifts that ship best. If you are worried the gift may not arrive on time, ask about their return policy. Remember to have realistic delivery expectations in case the hospital does not deliver the gift before the recipient's check-out. Customer service will inform you of the company's return policy and assist you in making the perfect gift selection.
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