Hi Tuscon. It may depend on the hospital if they allow electronic devices, or not. Or the specific ward. When I was inpatient, years back, neither of the two hospitals allowed any, but I've read others on forums like this say that theirs did.
The one hospital I went to had a payphone on their regular psych ward, but one needed a calling card to make calls from it, and the payphone usage was limited to certain hours. Other wards had no phones, though early on they let patients make one free call from the nurse's desk. If she is on such a ward, she may have no chance to call. If she is very sick, maybe she's just psychologically incapable.
A cellphone can receive texts without charge. Keep in mind that many wards won't allow charging phones because the charging cord is not permitted. It could be a tool for potential harm to the patient or other patients. Even if the owner isn't a risk, stuff could be stolen...and used for harm. So the ward may prohibit it. If her phone is with her, but out of juice, she obviously can't respond.
I do hope you hear from her soon and/or learn where she is. Do you know any of her blood relatives (parent, sibling, adult child -if applicable)? Perhaps one of them knows more.
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Dx: Bipolar type 1
Psych Medications:
* Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) 800 mg
* Lamictal (lamotrigine) 150 mg
* Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) 500 mg
I also take meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and tachycardia.
Last edited by Soupe du jour; Sep 12, 2023 at 02:21 PM.
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