| Hospitals can be scary places for everyone, but | | | | choice. |
| seem especially so to a child. Children have special | | | | 3. Talk to the child, in advance, about after the |
| needs, both emotional and physical, and you | | | | surgery/treatment, ie, how much better he will |
| should choose your hospital very carefully, with | | | | feel or how you will fix her favorite treat when |
| that in mind. | | | | she comes home. This gives the child something |
| The first thing you should know is that not all | | | | positive to fixate on that extends beyond the |
| hospitals are appropriate (or the safest) places for | | | | hospital experience. |
| children facing surgeries, cancer treatments or | | | | 4. Plan to spend as much time as possible in your |
| care for a serious illness. You should also know | | | | child's room after the surgery or treatment. If |
| that just because a hospital uses the words "for | | | | possible, it would be best to spend the night with |
| children" in its advertising, does not necessarily | | | | him, not only for his reassurance to have you |
| mean they are the best place for them. | | | | close by but also to monitor the care that he is |
| In general, hospitals that have special licensing to | | | | receiving. Many hospitals will provide a cot or |
| treat children (ie: Children's Hospitals that ONLY | | | | recliner to sleep on overnight. You will probably be |
| treat children) are among the best choices to | | | | uncomfortable but your child will do better with |
| assure that your child will receive the best and | | | | you close by. Make sure you know what has |
| most appropriate care. Children's hospitals have | | | | been prescribed by the child's doctor and don't be |
| specially licensed staff that includes all the pediatric | | | | afraid or intimidated to question any medication |
| specialties (cardiac, cancer, surgery, etc) and all | | | | that does not match what you have been told. |
| the appropriate equipment (child sized) that comes | | | | 5. Makes sure that your child is kept warm |
| with these special places. | | | | enough. Hospitals are notoriously chilly places. You |
| Your child's doctor or surgeon should also be | | | | should also bring a sweater and blanket/pillow for |
| licensed in his/her pediatric specialty. Nurses and | | | | yourself. |
| other ancillary staff should be specially trained to | | | | 6. Don't expect hospital staff to give your child a |
| meet both the physical and the emotional needs | | | | bath/shower. In most cases, you will be expected |
| of a hospitalized child. | | | | to provide this kind of care, yourself, should it be |
| The ambiance of a children's specialty hospital | | | | needed. |
| should seem brighter, cheerier and have toys, | | | | 7. Bring all your child's personal hygiene needs with |
| videos and other options to help a frightened child | | | | you, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, |
| feel more at home. | | | | mirror, etc. The hospital will not provide these |
| In addition, the following hospital tips can be used | | | | items for you. In addition, bring her favorite |
| to further enhance a hospitalization for a child: | | | | pajamas, robe and slippers. The pj's should button |
| 1. If possible, bring the child to the hospital for a | | | | or zip up the front, to allow ease of examination |
| tour before the day of his/her surgery or | | | | by the staff. |
| treatment, especially if it is their first time in a | | | | A hospital visit for a child can be much less |
| hospital. Make an appointment with the hospital | | | | traumatic if you follow these simple hospital tips. |
| liaison (through the Admitting Department) to | | | | And remember, most important of all is your own |
| have a sympathetic nurse walk the child through | | | | personal attitude. If you seem calm and patient, |
| the process, to help lessen the scariness on the | | | | your child will pick up on that and feel that she is |
| day of the surgery. | | | | in good hands. A relaxed child is much more likely |
| 2. Allow the child to bring a beloved doll or stuffed | | | | to heal faster and do better, in general, than one |
| animal to the hospital on the day of surgery. A | | | | who is rigid with anxiety and fear. |
| well-laundered favorite blanket is also a good | | | | |