Children's Services

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» Children's Inpatient Clinic
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Children's Inpatient Clinic

Most children are admitted to the hospital through the emergency department or the children's outpatient clinic. Recognizing that this can be an anxious time for a child, we transfer children who are being admitted to their own room on the inpatient unit as soon as possible.

We currently have the capacity for 18 paediatric beds for children from age birth up to 16 years of age on the inpatient unit. Our team of specialized doctors, nurses, child life and health professionals are able to care for patients with a wide variety of child and adolescent illnesses, as well as the surgical and emotional needs of our children. We also provide inpatient care for children with cancer including treatment for fever and neutropenia and palliative care.

You are the most important person to your child. You know how your child acts and responds when well. You are the best person to tell us if your child is not behaving normally. We encourage one parent to stay overnight and/or visit frequently. Although we currently do not have the best overnight accommodations, we will try to make it as comfortable as possible for you. Please keep in mind that the nurses will be in to check your child frequently throughout the night to administer medications, check intravenous lines and sites and check health status. In doing so, the nurse must wash her hands and thus may wake you.

If you do choose to stay with your child, please remember that your health is important too. You will need to take breaks for meals and quiet time.

• Who Will Be Caring For My Child
• Feeding Your Child
• Tips to Lessen A Child's Anxiety
• TVs/VCRs/Nintendo
• Playroom
• Isolation
• Helpful Information

Who Will Be Caring For My Child

Registered nurses are on the unit at all times. They work together with child life specialists to care for your child depending on their health status. The nurses have experience working with children and continually update their education in child health care. On most days, the nurses may have between one and four children to care for. They will try to answer your request/questions as soon as possible. Nurses also work closely with registered respiratory care practitioners, lactation consultants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social work.

Your child will be under the care of either a family physician, paediatrician or surgeon who will review your child's progress on a daily basis. For children who are under the care of a paediatrician, the paediatrician on-call is available after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends.

Feeding Your Child

Your child's diet will be prescribed by the physician. If you are breastfeeding, you may use the breast pump that is located on the unit. If you are storing breast milk at the hospital we ask that you label the breast milk. Your nurse will assist you with this. Your breast milk will be placed in the breast milk refrigerator in the kitchen.

Formula and a small supply of additional food items are kept in the kitchen. A kettle, microwave and toaster are available for you to use. If you have any questions regarding your child's diet, please do not hesitate to discuss this with your physician/nurse. For patients who require additional nutritional support, a registered dietitian may be involved in your child's care.

Tips to Lessen A Child's Anxiety

1. Be sure to have your child bring treasured possessions - stuffed animals, books, games, dolls or pajamas.
2. Bring pictures of family members.
3. If you have access to a tape recorder, prepare a tape of your child's favourite stories; it will be a comforting reminder of home and of your voice if you are not able to be present.
4. Always tells your child when and why you are leaving him, especially if you are going home.
5. Leave a special object behind when you leave for a short time or go home. Your child will be proud of having the responsibility of caring for an important possession - he will be sure of your return. (Do not leave valuables at the hospital. We cannot take responsibility for them.)
6. If your child is old enough, encourage him to phone you.
7. If you cannot make the hospital visit you had planned or promised, call the hospital and have someone notify your child of the delay. He may be sad and angry, but not as worried as he might be otherwise.
8. Be honest. Tell your child about the hospital - what will be done and why. Assure him that there is a beginning and an end to his experience. If something will hurt, tell him. Child Life can help you with explanations and support you and your child through difficult procedures.
9. Reassure your child that you will be with him/her, and that you understand.
10. Be matter-of-fact. The medical procedure must be done. So, give him support. If you show anxiety he will have more anxiety.
11. Allow your child to be as independent as possible. Let him make choices.
12. Be nurturing and loving; praise your child for his accomplishments.
13. Show your child lots of affection; now is the time for hugs and kisses.
14. While you are in the hospital, ease the tension for yourself as well as for your child by bringing along a book or something to pass the time. If you are nervous, anxious, or stressed share your feelings with another person.
15. Constantly being with your child can be stressful, especially if you are worrying about other children at home. If possible, try to take an afternoon off and go home or spend a few hours going out to lunch with a friend during your child's naptime. Even a half-hour alone in the hospital cafeteria can be helpful.

TVs/VCRs/Nintendo

We do have a limited supply of portable TV/VCR/Nintendo units available on the unit that must be shared between patients. We may request that some limited time periods be arranged so that everyone can have a turn. A large selection of videos is also available. If you child is in isolation please ask nursing staff about special precautions.

Playroom

The playroom is located on the 3rd floor inside the unit. Your child may be restricted from visiting the playroom depending on the type of illness he/she is experiencing. Please ask your nurse.

Isolation

Your child may be placed in isolation. This means that special precautions need to be taken when visiting. You will notice that staff caring for your child may wear gowns, gloves and/or masks and will be wiping equipment off with germicidal wipes when they leave the room. Please note that these wipes are FOR EQUIPMENT ONLY and not be used as "baby wipes".

Helpful Information

Feeding for the first year
Immunization
Safety First
Weight Conversion Chart

For more information to help you and your child through hospitalization visit the Hospital For Sick Children's website www.sickkids.on.ca