Welcome to “A Kids World” at Stormont-Vail
“A Kid's World” is a unit designed specifically to meet the special needs of infants, children and adolescents.
The pediatric/adolescent staff understands most children have had little experience in a hospital. For some, this hospitalization is their first experience away from home and family. The staff strives to provide a homelike environment when possible. The unit is decorated and furnished with children's tastes in mind.
Family Participation Is Important
Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's care to the degree they feel comfortable. Your child's anxiety and fear of hospitalization are lessened when they see their parents working together with the staff.
 Your child will develop a feeling of security if they see you are relaxed. This will help to speed your child's recovery. Children are quick to sense their parents' feelings. If you appear upset, your child will be too. Please feel free to discuss any questions or special problems with your child's nurse at any time. We want you to understand your child's plan of care.
We provide bedside lounge chairs for parents to sleep on. Other sleeping accommodations are available in a limited number of hospital sleep rooms or nearby at the Ronald McDonald House. Check with the nursing staff for more information.
The pediatric/adolescent unit also provides a beverage center in the kitchen with fresh iced tea and coffee available at all times. Parents are allowed to bring their meals into their child's room. They may also bring in the child's favorite food or snacks from home, unless the child's physician request dietary restrictions. The unit refrigerator is available for storing any cold items.
Unit Routines
 The pediatric staff recognizes family living habits vary a great deal. To help meet these varying needs, the rules and routines on the unit are flexible. However, it is necessary to have some set routines to best meet the needs of our patients.
Trays are delivered at:
Breakfast – 7:40 a.m.
Lunch – 11:40 a.m.
Dinner – 5:15 p.m.
Nourishments are available on the unit for between-meal snacks.
Visiting
Hours for visiting are unrestricted for parents and grandparents. To allow time for nursing procedures and patient rest, other visitors may spend time with the patient from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors are discouraged after 10 p.m. Overnight visitors are limited to parents or their designee (must be 18 years of age).
Health Screening
To lessen the danger of infection, visitors under the age of 14, are asked to stop at the nurse's station to have their temperature taken and undergo a brief health screening. Visitors who are not feeling well or are exhibiting cold symptoms should not visit our patients.
Child-Friendly Environment
To help provide some diversional activities for our patients, we have a well-stocked playroom. Toys may also be taken to the patient's room, but must be cleaned prior to returning them to the playroom. We also have crib toys for the infants. If you have siblings visiting, they are welcome to play in the playroom with your supervision.
For those patients who are unable to leave their rooms, we have some portable VCR's and Nintendos that can be taken into the rooms. We have a nice selection of VHS movies for patient enjoyment or families are welcome to bring in some from home. We cannot be responsible for personal belongings, so please be sure to mark any personal belongings you may bring in from home. There is also a hospital movie channel available for patient enjoyment.
Safety is a top priority of the pediatric/adolescent staff. Please always pull up the side rails on your child's crib or bed whenever you leave the bedside.
Isolation
It is sometimes necessary to isolate our patients. Your child may be isolated for one of two reasons:
- They may be more susceptible to infection now than they normally would be.
- They may have had, or are suspected of, having a contagious disease.
We encourage very thorough handwashing whenever you enter or leave your child's room.
Surgery
If your child is scheduled for surgery, our secretary will be contacting you the evening before you arrive to complete most of the database information. At this time, we will try to answer any questions you may have regarding your child's surgery. The morning of surgery, you will be taken to the Pediatric/Adolescent unit after checking in with Registration. We will obtain your child's vital signs, have them change into a hospital gown and finish any paperwork. Once they are ready, they will be taken to the surgical area where you may wait with them in the pre-op area. After they are taken to the surgical suite, you will be sent to the surgical waiting area where you will check in with the volunteer. When your child's surgery is completed, the surgeon will speak with you. When your child awakens in the recovery room, one parent will be allowed to be with them until they are returned to their room on the Pediatric/Adolsecent unit. Once you arrive back on the unit, your child's nurse will be able to explain the plan for your child's post-operative care.
For more information on common pediatric surgeries and post-surgery information, click on the appropriate link:
Dismissal
 When your child is well enough to go home, your doctor or nurse will let you know. You will also be given instructions for any care your child should receive at home and any follow-up doctor's appointments you may need.
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