Protecting What Matters: 8 Strategies for Safeguarding Patient Belongings

Kristine Buck
University of Vermont Medical Center

I would like to tell you a story about “Teddy,” the bear. Teddy had been a vital part of a patient’s family for over 60 years, providing comfort, supportive listening, and unconditional love, until the day the beloved bear was unfortunately whisked away with the hospital bedding and went missing. While the patient’s medical care was excellent, the loss of this very personal item left the family extremely anxious and depressed during the patient’s stay.

Stories like this remind us that caring for patients isn’t just about treating their medical needs. It’s also about respecting and protecting what matters most to them. Belongings often carry deep emotional and sentimental value, and when patients place their trust in us, they expect that trust to extend to their possessions.

By equipping staff with the right knowledge and tools, we can prevent the loss of items, like Teddy, build patient confidence, and create a more organized, efficient care environment. When patients know their belongings are safe, they can focus fully on healing, while staff can concentrate on delivering the best care.

Here are eight practical strategies to help staff safeguard patient belongings with care and consistency:

1. Create Clear Policies and Procedures

Start with a strong foundation. Clear, easy-to-access policies should outline how to handle, store, and document patient belongings. Keep them up to date, so they reflect current regulations and best practices. For more guidance, read the blog, Ensuring Peace of Mind: 7 Elements All Lost Belongings Policies Should Include.

2. Offer Hands-On Training

Go beyond just telling staff what to do—show them. Use role-playing, demonstrations, and interactive sessions to reinforce why safeguarding belongings matters and how to do it well.

3. Make Technology Work for You

Digital tools can make a big difference. Electronic health record (EHR) systems can document and track belongings in detail. Tracking changes—like noting if an item is moved, lost, or damaged—keeps everyone on the same page and prevents confusion.

4. Build Strong Communication Skills

Simple, clear conversations with patients and families go a long way. Teach staff how to explain labeling procedures, safe storage options, and how belongings will be returned at discharge. This sets expectations and reassures patients that their items are in good hands.

5. Foster a Culture of Accountability

   Everyone plays a role in protecting patient belongings. Encourage staff to double-check items during admission, transfers, and discharge. Make it easy to report concerns or discrepancies right away, before small issues become big problems.

6. Educate Patients and Families

   Patients and families want to help, too. Provide written materials and verbal reminders about labeling and storage. Encourage them to send valuables home when possible and to alert staff immediately if something is missing or damaged.

7. Celebrate and Recognize Good Practices

   Positive reinforcement works. Recognize and reward staff who consistently follow procedures and go above and beyond. At University of Vermont Medical Center, the See It, Say It, Save It! Program educates and celebrates staff who excel at safeguarding patient property.

8. Keep Improving Together

   Policies should evolve just like patient care does. Regularly review and update processes with input from the people doing the work every day. Stay open to new technologies and approaches that can make managing belongings even better.

By combining clear policies, strong communication, and a culture of accountability, we can make a meaningful difference for patients—and for the staff who care for them. Protecting belongings may seem like a small detail, but it sends a powerful message: we value and respect every part of a patient’s experience.

For those wondering about the fate of Teddy – after a number of days and taking an international trip to Canada to our linens cleaning company, Teddy was safely returned and reunited with the patient and family. They were very relieved, allowing them to focus more on care and recovery. 

Kristine Buck is a Program and Resource Coordinator with the Office of Patient and Family Advocacy at UVM Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont. Kristine leads efforts to improve patient belongings policies and practices across the organization and beyond.