Welcome information
Welcome to Cook Children's. Here you will find helpful information such as ideas for what you and your child may want to bring, preparing your child for a hospital visit and how we support family-centered care.
What to bring when staying overnight
Items your child may need:
- A favorite blanket or quilt
- Books or magazines
- Pajamas
- Games
- Snacks, depending on your dietary restrictions
- Stuffed animal
- A toothbrush and toothpaste
- A comb
- Small toys
- Warm socks or slippers
- Comfortable clothing
- A laptop (Cook Children’s Medical Center offers free WiFi)
- A handheld gaming device
- A journal or paper and pen or pencil
Items parents may need:
- Family and friends’ phone numbers
- Change for vending machines, newspapers, etc.
- Insurance cards
- Important documents, such as a living will and durable power of attorney
- A list of child’s medications, both prescription and over-the-counter
- A blanket
- A pillow
- Modest sleepwear
- Slippers
- A robe
- Comfortable clothing
- Snacks
- Laptop (Cook Children’s Medical Center has free WiFi)
- Toiletries
- Books, magazines, etc.
- Craft projects, knitting, crocheting, etc.
What can I do to help my child prepare for a hospital experience?
Health care situations, including hospitalization and medical procedures, can be stressful for children of all ages. Preparing your child ahead of time might reduce his/her anxiety, as well as help him/her cope.
Providing your child with honest, accurate information will help ease his/her fears and fantasies about what will happen. Talk to your child about the upcoming visit. Give your child a chance to tell you how he/she is feeling and to ask questions. Your child may be worrying about something that will not happen. Being honest with your child will help him/her trust you and the people he/she will meet at the doctor's office or medical center.
Tips to help you prepare your child
The more a child knows about what to expect during the medical visit ahead of time, the more comfortable he/she will be.
- If your child is under the age of 5, you should talk to him/her a day or two before the experience. Older children need more time to get information and ask questions (e.g., a few days to a week).
- You may be tempted to tell your child things that are not true. If something will hurt, say so.
- Be honest. If you do not know the answer to your child's question, tell your child that you do not know, but that you will find out.
- Use simple words that your child will understand.
- Encourage your child to discuss feelings and ask questions about the upcoming experience with you, but be careful not to force a discussion if your child is not ready.
If your child is being admitted to the medical center, the following tips may be helpful in addition to those above.
- Emphasize that the hospital stay is temporary.
- Reassure your child that you will visit often and will stay overnight, if that is the case.
- Pack together for the stay and include the things your child wants to have at Cook Children’s. For example, your child may be able to wear their own pajamas.
- Point out similarities between Cook Children’s and home, such as regular meals, chances to play and having one's own bed.
- Include your entire family in one of your pre-hospital talks.
- Borrow a library book that describes a hospital stay and read it with your child.
- Check into tours or preparation programs that we may provide. If your child is having surgery, please visit with your doctor and nurse before the surgery. The Child Life staff is available to help answer any questions you may have about helping your child prepare for hospitalization or surgery. A Child Life specialist can explain what will happen and why, in terms your child will understand. This can be good for you and your child, as well as for brothers and sisters.
Looking at hospitalization through a child's eyes
Younger than age 3
Your child's greatest concern is being away from you. Being with your child as much as possible during their stay will make your child feel more secure. Younger children, especially those under age 3, often think going to the hospital is a punishment for misbehavior. Explain that this is not the case. Encourage your child to express fears and concerns. Talk to your child in a way that he/she can understand about why the hospital stay is necessary.
Ages 4 to 6
Children in this age group fear damage to their bodies. Be careful when explaining what will take place. Avoid phrases that may have different meanings to a child. For example, your child may connect being put to sleep (when you explain surgical anesthesia) with a pet and think that he or she will die. Instead, say, “The doctors will help you take a nap for a few hours.” Or, any another phrase they might better understand. When talking about surgery say, “Make an opening,” instead of cut.
Ages 6 to 12
Children older than 6 will worry about losing control and damage to their bodies. Your child may also worry about doing or saying embarrassing things while under anesthesia. Be open. Don't deny that there will be pain after an operation, if this is the case. Explain that although it will hurt for a while, they will be made to feel as comfortable as possible.
Teenagers
Teenagers are often reluctant to ask questions, leading you to believe that they understand more than they actually do. Encourage your teenager to ask the doctors and nurses questions about his or her condition. Include your child in discussions about the care plan for an increased feeling of control.
Visiting hours
Family members and friends are welcome and encouraged to visit. Here are some guidelines for visitors:
- Visiting hours are from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Do not allow visitors who are sick or have a fever.
- Hands must be washed before and after visits.
- Parents: Cook Children’s promotes family-centered care as a part of our philosophy. We recognize the importance of the family/caregiver in the support of a hospitalized child and therefore support unlimited parental access to their child. Parents or primary caregivers may spend the night at the bedside and participate as a partner in care, with a medical center-issued ID band.
- Siblings: Siblings and other children can visit the patient’s room during regular visiting hours. Siblings of patients in isolation may have restrictions. If your child is in isolation, please check with your nurse before allowing siblings to visit.
Phone calls
- Incoming calls: Friends and family can call you using the number on the main screen of the GetWellNetwork™. Your phone number is also labeled on the phone in your room.
- Local calls: Local calls are free. Dial 9 + 10 digit number to make a call.
- In-hospital calls: To call a number in the medical center, just dial the 4-digit extension using the phone in your room.
What is family-centered care?
At Cook Children’s, we believe in a family-centered approach to health care. We know that when a child is sick, it affects the whole family. Because families play a big role in their child’s recovery and healing, we partner with families to provide the best care possible for kids.
Here are some of the ways we support the family-centered care relationship:
- Dignity and respect: We listen to and honor the family’s point of view and choices. We work to combine family values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds into the care we provide.
- Information sharing: We explain all options, treatments and the entire procedure in a timely manner to educate the family so they can make the right choices for their child.
- Participation: We encourage and empower parents to participate in the treatment and decisions for their child.
- Collaboration: Our leaders and health care team members work as partners with families on creating policies and programs that work for everyone. We value family input.
Planning for discharge
When your child’s treatment is complete, they will be discharged from the medical center. We know you are eager to get home, so we will try to speed along the process. We want to make sure that all paperwork is taken care of properly. By planning ahead, we hope to make going home an easy adjustment for you and your child.
You need to plan for your transportation home at the time of admission. If you need help getting home, please let your nurses know.
Discharge day
Before your child is discharged, your doctor will tell you how to care for your child at home and when your child should see the doctor again. Your nurse will also give you home care instructions. It is important to always give medicine to your child exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns, please call your doctor.
- Take all books, CDs, games, etc., back to the area(s) where you got them.
- Be sure you have checked all drawers, cabinets, parent beds, etc., for personal articles and have them with you before leaving.
- If your child is going to receive care at home, your case manager or social worker with give you the name and telephone number of the agencies that will be taking care of your child.
Be sure to arrange transportation home for you and your child. You may be asked to leave your room as soon as possible after discharge to make room for another patient. Please tell your nurse if you have transportation difficulties that will delay your discharge.
As you are leaving, make sure you are following child passenger safety laws. Texas law requires that all children ride in federally approved car seats or booster seats made for their weight and height, until they are 8 years old or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. In addition, all passengers (including adults) above this age/height must use a seat belt, regardless of where they sit in the vehicle (TRC 545.412 / 9-1-2009).
Children should always ride in the back seat. If you need assistance locating a car seat, please ask your nurse.
