Things to Know
Medications
All medications must be ordered by your physician. If you bring medications from home with you, please show them to the nurse. You will be advised what to do with them. All medications must be given or supervised by a nurse. Please do not give any medications without authorization from your physician or nurse.
Isolation
Please check with a nurse before entering an isolation room. The nurse will explain the type of isolation and any precautions that should be taken. Good hand washing is essential before entering and after leaving the room.
Playrooms, Bedside Activities, and School
Playrooms are available for patient use. If your child is unable to leave his room, child-life specialists will provide age-appropriate toys and activities. Ask your nurse to page the child life specialist in your unit.
Tutoring and books are available from Primary Children's School Services staff. Request a School Services consult by asking your nurse.
What to Expect
Rounds
The staff makes "rounds" (walking from room to room) to assess daily progress and update each child's plan of care. Rounds are generally done each morning. During rounds physicians will come by either individually or in a group to review your child's progress. Patients will be examined and their situation discussed with parents, nurses and other physicians. You are encouraged to be present for rounds. At the completion of rounds, your child's physician may be available to answer questions about your child's progress. If your doctor isn't able to talk to you then, ask him or her to indicate another time during the day for a conversation about your child.
Shift Change
Most of the nursing staff work 12-hour shifts. At shift changes (7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) nurses are busy reporting patient information to the incoming staff. If you have an immediate need during shift change, please make it known. If the need can wait a short time, please discuss it with the nurse after shift change is completed. If your child is in the Newborn Critical Care Unit: Families are not allowed to visit during change of shift report, between 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and between 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. If your child is in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit: Families are not allowed to visit during change of shift report, between 6:30 and 8:00 a.m. and between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.
What to Bring
The hospital provides pajamas for patients to age 12. Teenagers will need to provide their own pajamas or wear a hospital gown. For safety reasons, please do not bring the following items:
- Electrical appliances
- Electrical or spark toys
- Valuables
- Hair dryers, curling irons, or similar appliances
Recommended Items
- Robe
- Slippers
- Comb and brush
- Toothbrush
- Familiar blanket or toy
- Glasses
- List of current medications and doses
- School work and IEP/504 (if applicable)
Hospital Provided Items
- Hygiene items, including diapers and bathing supplies.
- If using diapers larger than size 5, please bring a few for your child until we can stock your child’s size.
- For breast-feeding mothers, a pump room and refrigerator are available. Please bring your pump kit.