Pediatric Inpatient Handbook
The St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital staff welcomes you. We understand that having a child in the hospital is stressful for every member of your family. We are committed to giving your child the best quality care and making your child and your family as comfortable as possible.
Your Child’s Room
The rooms on our pediatric areas have been designed with the comfort of patients and families in mind. Each room has state-of-the-art equipment to care for your child as well as touches that provide a healing environment. The sofa converts to a bed for a care giver to stay overnight. Each room has a communication board to help keep you informed.
Phone calls to family and friends are a very important part of any hospital stay. Dial 9 to get an outside number. Your child’s safety and security are very important to us. We ask that you make sure the siderails are up on the bed if you step away. Also, no latex balloons are allowed in patient areas. Mylar balloons are allowed in patient care areas. Hand washing is very important to us. It is OK to ask people who enter your room if they have washed their hands.
Pediatric patients wear a HUGS™ bracelet for their security. Please don’t take your child too close to exits as the alarm may be activated.
The wall in your room has a thermostat that you can adjust. Just look for the dial on the side of the thermostat. If you have questions or feel there is a problem, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. We are concerned for your comfort.
Parents
As parents, you are your child’s best support. You know your child better than anyone else and he or she feels much more comfortable with you around. We encourage you to be active members of our care giving team.
Brothers & Sisters
Children less than 2 years old are especially susceptible to contagious disease found on our Pediatric units because they have not yet built up immunity against these various illnesses. Therefore, please do not bring children under 2 years old to visit unless absolutely necessary. Siblings older than 2 are welcome to visit during regular visiting hours.
Our Staff
Besides the nurses and doctors on staff, many other members of the health care team will be assisting your child during his or her stay. Staff members from X-ray, respiratory therapy, laboratory, housekeeping, physical therapy, surgery and transportation are just a few of the many people your child may come in contact with during his or her stay at St. John’s Mercy Children’s Hospital. When a staff member comes to your child’s room, he or she will greet you and tell you what department he or she is from and the purpose of the visit. Please know that even though you may see many faces during your child’s hospitalization, we are all working together for the benefit of your child’s health.
Child Life Activities
Our Child Life department was designed to make your child’s stay in the hospital a little less stressful and hopefully, even fun. The Child Life staff provides what kids like best–fun and games, while striving to meet the psychological and social needs of your child.
One of our Child Life specialists will visit your child’s room during his or her stay. Our therapists will carefully assess the needs of each child, and offer age-appropriate activities.
Should your child require a lengthy hospitalization, the Child Life staff will meet his or her educational needs by arranging tutorial services through your school district.
Daily recreational activities are also provided to allow your child the opportunity to socialize with other pediatric patients. A schedule is posted in every room for your convenience. There are also opportunities for art therapy, music therapy and pet therapy. Please use our Child Life services. The department’s staff and activities can assist your child in developing and/or maintaining a positive frame of mind–an important factor in any recovery.
Restaurants
Mercy Café
The Mercy Café is located off the main lobby on the first floor. It offers a large selection of hot and cold foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Monday - Friday |
Saturday and Sunday |
Hours: |
6 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
6 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
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11 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
2:30 to 5 a.m. |
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|
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Hot Foods Available: |
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Breakfast |
6 to 10 a.m. |
6 to 10 a.m. |
Lunch |
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
Dinner |
3:30 to 9 p.m. |
3:30 to 7 p.m. |
Night Shift |
11 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
2:30 to 5 a.m. |
Pizza, Deli and Grill |
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Baggot Street Cafe
Located in the Mercy Doctors Building, Ground Floor, Tower C. Hot and cold dishes, cafeteria style. Hours: M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuscany Café
The Tuscany Café is located on the second floor of the Heart Hospital near the admitting office. It offers Italian cuisine, salads, pizza, sandwiches and desserts. It is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Escoffier Coffee Trade & Confections
A gourmet coffee bar is located on the first floor lobby near the blue elevators. It is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Vending Machines
A variety of cold foods, sandwiches, snacks and beverages may be purchased from machines located just inside the cafeteria on the first floor of the Medical Center.
Room Service
All patients on regular diets will order from Room Service at 3663 (FOOD). If parents would like to order a tray, there is a charge of $6.00 for breakfast and $10.00 for lunch and dinner. This is due in cash when your meal arrives. Please find your room service menu in your room.
Refreshments for Patients
For children who do not have dietary restrictions there are various juices and snacks in the patient refrigerators. Please ask a nurse for assistance.
The IV
Most pediatric patients have an intravenous line (IV) while they are hospitalized. The IV is a method of giving fluids and/or medication through a hollow catheter into a vein.
At St. John’s Mercy Children’s Hospital all of our IV fluids are administered through IV pumps. These pumps administer the exact amount of fluids that your child is prescribed. The IV pump runs on batteries for a little while but when your child is in his or her room, the IV pump should be plugged into the wall. Please feel free to “plug your child back in” after he or she has gone for a walk or to use the bathroom.
The IV pumps are programmed to administer fluids and medication and also to monitor the flow of the fluids and catch any sign of air in the tubing. When a medication is finished or there is something wrong with the administration of the IV fluids or medication, the IV pump will “beep.” This beeping is really an alarm telling us the pump needs attention. While the beeping is annoying, please do not push the buttons on the IV pump to silence the beeping. Let your child’s nurse know that the IV is beeping so that he or she can reprogram the machine or tend to any problem. This is for your child’s own safety.
Information for Families with Children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Visitors
Visiting policies in the PICU are different from other areas of the hospital. It is essential that you understand the special needs of patients and families in the PICU, and that you follow these special rules. You will receive specific PICU guidelines from your nurse upon admission.
Questions?
If you have any questions about your child’s health care, please feel free to ask your child’s nurse or doctor. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s stay you can contact the nurse manager at 251-6583 or refer to phone numbers listed on the communication board in each patient room.
If we can make your family’s stay with us more comfortable, please let us know.
Patient Relations
Patient Relations at St. John's Mercy wants to assist you in the areas of patient rights, problem resolution, patient satisfaction and customer service. Our specially trained representatives will work with you to answer your questions or resolve any concerns. If you would like to inform us of a physician, co-worker or volunteer who has provided excellent service, or to notify us of a concern or complaint, please visit or call during business hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 251-6484.
