Our physicians, nurses and other healthcare staff understand that a child’s hospital stay can be stressful for the entire family. The Pediatric Unit was designed to provide an environment that promotes comfort for patients, families and caregivers. The interior design, patient and family amenities, and services provided reflect our mission to bring advanced care closer.
Parents’ role
Parents have an important role in their child’s experience as a Pediatric Unit patient. Parents know their children better than anyone. It helps when parents share as much information as possible so the medical team can better care for the patient. Ask questions and expect answers you can understand if you have concerns.
Healthcare team identification
Pediatric hospital workers and other healthcare providers must wear ID badges with their photograph, name, title and department. All Pediatric staff will have a teddy bear emblem on their ID badges. Question anyone you are not familiar with or who does not have a Pediatric ID badge.
ID band, security, and safety
Patient safety is a priority at Self Regional. Make sure the patient keeps his or her ID band on at all times. Notify the hospital staff if the information on it is incorrect or the band is missing. Parents will be given the opportunity to place a security bracelet on their child. This electronic safety feature alerts the staff if the patient approaches or goes beyond designated doors without authorization. Do not pull on or attempt to remove the security tag. If you want to bathe the patient, let the nurse know. Arrangements will be made to accommodate bath time.
• No electronic gaming equipment may be brought for use in the hospital.
• The hospital is not responsible for personal belongings. Leave jewelry, large amounts of money, credit cards and electronic equipment at home.
• Do not leave valuables, such as wallets or jewelry, unattended in the patient’s room.
• Children may leave the Pediatric Unit only for tests, treatments or with permission from their doctor.
Medications, allergies and tests
Let the nurses know about all the medications the patient takes, including any over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbals. Let the staff know if the patient is allergic to medications, dyes, foods or anything else. Make sure you understand tests and treatments that may be performed on the patient.
Hand washing, other precautions
Hand washing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections. Wash your hands before and after visiting a patient’s room. If the patient is in isolation, there are special instructions posted on the door. Please read them carefully, follow them and encourage visitors to do so as well. If you have questions, ask the patient’s nurse. Only the parent, guardian or grandparent may visit a patient on isolation precautions.
Meals
Children of different ages have different nutritional needs. We offer foods for the patient according to the diet prescribed by the child’s doctor. A hostess will visit the patient’s room each day to help the caregiver and patient select foods for the next day’s meals. An alternative menu is available. We provide juices, milk, popsicles, ice cream and cereals for snacks between meals. We provide, free of charge, the most common infant formulas. We have plastic bottles available upon request. Baby foods and cereal also are available for infants and toddlers. If the patient is on a special diet or not allowed to eat for a period of time at a doctor’s request, it is best that you avoid eating in front of him or her.
Television
Cable television is available in each patient room. A DVD/VCR player also is available. Please keep the TV volume low so you do not disturb other patients. Turn off the TV when nurses are checking the patient. The noise interferes with the nurse being able to hear through a stethoscope and communicate with the caregiver and the patient.
Telephone
For local calls, dial 9 and then the number. For long distance, go to the nurses’ station for assistance. You can then charge the call to your calling card or call collect.
Protecting children
These guidelines were developed to help protect hospitalized children:
• Self Regional Medical Center is a smoke-free facility. The use of tobacco products on all hospital property is prohibited.
• Food, drinks and medications should not be given to the patient without first checking with the nurse. This includes water, candy and gum.
• Bed and crib rails must be raised at all times when the patient is unattended. The type of bed assigned is for the safety of your child.
• Do not prop bottles in the bed with your child.
• No pillows or excess bedding are allowed in the bed or crib of a child less than a year old.
• Latex or rubber balloons are not permitted on the Pediatric Unit. These balloons can cause allergic reactions, serious injury or even death if a child breathes in or swallows a piece. Mylar balloons are acceptable.
Reducing the risk of SIDS
Following are tips to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):
• Always place the baby to sleep on his or her back, even for naps.
• Place the baby on a firm mattress, crib or bassinet, not on a regular bed or sleeper chair.
• Do not put fluffy bedding, pillows or stuffed toys in the baby’s sleep area.
• Make sure the baby’s head and face remain uncovered during sleep.
• Do not let the baby get too warm during sleep.
Visitation guidelines
Only one person, designated by the parents, can stay with the patient overnight. The person must be over the age of 18 and can stay with the child if the parent or guardian cannot stay overnight. The parent, grandparent or guardian may visit anytime in this case.
Siblings and friends
Children who are hospitalized may benefit from a visit from a sibling or friend. If you would like to make arrangements for the patient to have a visit from a sibling or friend, tell the nurse, who can determine whether the patient is medically stable and able to receive visitors.
Must be 10 or older to visit
Brothers, sisters, and friends must be accompanied by an adult and remain in close parental supervision at all times. They may visit in the patient’s room only. Immunizations must be up to date, and the visitor must not have been sick within the past 48 hours. The visitor must not have been exposed to illnesses such as chickenpox within the past 14 days. Teenagers are not allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend in the bed with them, and boyfriends or girlfriends are not allowed to stay overnight. Relatives are welcome to visit during visiting hours, which are 10 a.m.–8:45 p.m.
Concerns
If you have concerns about your child’s care, talk to the nurse caring for your child or the charge nurse. You have the right to question and understand any decisions that affect your child. If you have comments or concerns, contact the Director of NICU and Pediatrics at 864 725-6212 or the Assistant Nurse Manager of NICU and Pediatrics at 864 725-6213.