HOSPITALIZATION

HOSPITALIZATION

Hospitalization 

Definition

    Hospitalization is admittance to the hospital as a patient.

Purpose

    Patients are admitted to the hospital for a variety of reasons, including scheduled tests, procedures, or surgery; emergency medical treatment; administration of medication; or to stabilize or monitor an existing condition.

MAKING SURE THE CHILD IS HEALTHY

     It is important for the child to be as healthy as possible before a planned hospitalization. The child should eat healthy foods, and rest and exercise as normal, unless given other instructions. The child needs to get extra sleep before the hospitalization, since his or her normal sleep patterns will likely be disrupted during the hospital stay. If the child has a fever, cough , or cold, the parents should call the child's doctor to determine if the hospitalization should be delayed.

PACKING FOR THE HOSPITAL STAY

     The child should help the parent pack items for the hospital stay. It is helpful to pack familiar pajamas, toys  , games, a special family photo, and other belongings that will provide comfort. Personal items should be labeled with the child's name. Valuables should be left at home.

     Children should not bring latex (rubber) balloons to the hospital, as they can be a serious safety hazard, as well as a health hazard for children with a latex allergy. Shiny, metallic balloons (Mylar) are usually permitted. Parents should check the hospital's policies before packing any electronic items, such as video games or hair dryers. Some items may cause interference with the hospital equipment. Also, parents should check the specific unit's policy for bringing fresh flowers or plants. In most cases, bringing food from home is not permitted since certain foods may be restricted and the child's specific dietary intake may need to be recorded.

     The parents should bring a complete list of the child's medications, medical conditions, and any known allergies . The child's medications should remain at home; all necessary medications will be provided in the hospital.

SELECTING A FAMILY SPOKESPERSON

       Because of privacy regulations established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), some hospitals require families to select one spokesperson to communicate with health care providers. The spokesperson helps maintain the patient's privacy and also improves communication with the health care providers. The family spokesperson should be responsible for communicating information about the child's health to outside family members. Families and friends who call the child's nursing unit will not be able to obtain information about the patient, due to privacy regulations.