1) Your Child is the most important person in the
Hospital. Try to make his stay "fun". For example: XRays = Pictures;
Serynges = Squirt Guns; Infusion Pumps = Astronaut.
2) Ask the Nurses for anything your Child may need. For
example: toys, extra pillows, creams, etc.
3) Ask your Doctors all the questions that come to mind.
Try to keep up to date, ask for literature.
4) Ask your Child's Nurses to describe their plan when
their shift starts. Verify the labels on the medications before Nurses give
them to your child.
5) Sometimes your Child needs rest and vital signs can
wait. Ask your Nurse to come by later.
6) Nurses are your best friend. Try to identify the Nurses
your Child seems to like, and ask for them at the Nurse's station on every
shift.
7) Pray a lot.
8) Ask for the room that is farther away from the Nurse's
Station if you plan to stay during the night.
9) If your Child has infusion pumps, turn to the back of
the pump and move the alarm volume switch to low.
10) Be patient with Residents. Ask difficult questions to
keep them busy.
11) Make friends with cleaning people. They know their way
around the place.
12) Ask the Nurses to fix the medicine schedule so that
your Child wont get a medicine in the middle of the night.
13) Don't make changes at night.
14) If your Child is going to get an IV or a PICC line
stay with him in the treatment room. If the specialist can't find the vein
ask for:
Neo-natologist with a lamp. Anesthesiologist. Transport
Team/Ambulance (in that order).
