This is a scary time for anyone to be in a hospital. However, if a child has an accident, a bad case of croup, or the need for emergency surgery, there are some things that parents can do that will help.
The most important thing is to be sure your nearest hospital is equipped to care for children. I have two favorite hospital: Los Angeles Children's and Cincinnati Children's. I also know several I would not want a child to be in. One of the newest problems is that now many pediatricians do not go to the hospital to see their patients, but leave the care to a pediatric hospitalist. I have had bad experiences with these individuals in adults and cannot imagine letting one care for a little patient of mine. Not only the child, but also the parents need to see a familiar face that they know and trust.
My most important tip for parents is always have a parent, relative, or good friend stay with the child. That way if anything seems wrong it can be questioned. If a second opinion is needed, I would request it. If you are having problems with any of the staff or treatment, I would urge you to call your child' s pediatrician or make an appointment with the hospital CEO. I f necessary, I would transfer your child to another hospital.
A small child needs a favorite toy or stuffed animal to have in the hospital. But I would not overwhelm a child with lots of gifts or toys. If an adult is anxious, this can make the child anxious also. It is important to get to know the nurses, doctors, etc. and call them by name. That way you will be ensured of better care. Keeping notes of what is going on is a good idea, particularly if you are not pleased with the care. The squeaky wheel does get the grease. Also, always check the hospital billc arefully, and if you needed to get previous authorization form an HMO or insurance company, be sure you have the necessary papers to prove this was done.
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