Inpatient Information

We have private, semi-private and observation rooms on the floor. Room assignments are made based on medical need. While we wish every room could be private, availability of private rooms is limited; therefore a child needing a private room for medical reasons will be given top priority. If your child is placed in a private room that is not deemed medically necessary by their physician, you may be moved from that room at any time if another child is admitted that must be in isolation.

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Being in the hospital may be frightening for a child. We encourage a parent/guardian to be here as much as possible. The following restrictions apply:

• Only one parent/guardian may stay overnight. No one under the age of 18 may stay in the patient’s room overnight (unless you are the parent).
• A sleep chair will be provided and the parent/guardian is responsible for making up the chair. Linens must be removed and the chair returned to seated position by 8 a.m. Sleep chairs must be kept up during the day.
• For safety reasons, parents/guardians are asked not to sleep in the child’s bed or to have the child sleep in the sleep chair with them.
• Bedtime is 10 p.m. All patients are expected to be in their rooms at that time. At this time, phone conversations are limited to emergencies only.
• If you stay at the bedside, we encourage you to assist in the care of your child. This may involve things such as calming your child, and assisting with diaper changes and baths.
• Appropriate attire is expected at all times.
• For safety and infection control reasons, please do not visit other bedsides during your child's stay.

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Additional lodging for out of town families is available at the Ronald McDonald House and the Hospital Hospitality House.  Please speak to your nurse, social worker or child life specialist for referral to these houses.  There are also three Ronald McDonald parent sleep rooms.  These rooms are located between the PICU and PPCU and are designated for the parents of children in PICU or PPCU who are from out of town and who have a critically ill child.  Speak to your child's nurse about referral to these rooms.

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Visiting Hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The pediatric floor is secured for the safety of our patients. The security system, including electronic surveillance, is designed to ensure that your child is in a protected and caring environment at all times. A photo ID is required for admittance to the 7^th floor.

• Family and friends are encouraged to visit. Only four visitors may be at the bedside in the Acute Care Units and only three visitors are allowed in the PICU and PPCU.
• While having family and friends visit is essential, allowing quiet time for a sick child to rest is an important part of the recovery process.
• Children under 12 are not permitted to visit (unless they are siblings of the patient).  Siblings may only visit in the PICU after meeting with a child life specialist for preparation for the experience (and based on the patient's medical condition at the time).
• Visiting minors must be with an adult at all times.
• Visitors will not be allowed if they have a cold, fever, or any recent exposure to an infectious disease like the flu or chicken pox.
• Please be aware of other patients’ rights to privacy and quiet. We have many different age groups on the floor—appropriate language and behavior are expected. Any visitor/family member whose behavior is inappropriate or disruptive will be asked to leave.

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We believe in treating the whole child—not just the illness. We provide an array of support services to ease a patient’s hospital stay. Patients can visit our playrooms and outdoor play deck, play games or do crafts at their bedside, keep up with school with our hospital teachers, visit with Dogs on Call, and even participate in special events.

Child Life
Child Life helps children and families cope with their healthcare experience by providing play and recreational activities, procedural preparation, pet visitation, emotional support, special events, and a variety of other services. Child Life manages three age-appropriate playrooms and an outdoor play deck. Child Life specialists and volunteers will also bring activities to children who are isolated or not feeling well enough to visit the playrooms.

School
Year-round school coverage is provided by Virginia’s Hospital Education Program. Hospital teachers will coordinate school work with the child’s school or provide stimulation activities if a child’s level of learning is too young to be in school. Hospital teachers can work with children who turn 2 by Sept. 30th. Homebound services will also be initiated if medically necessary.

Pastoral Care
It is the mission of pastoral care to assist patients and families in responding to the spiritual and emotional effects of suffering, illness, and hospitalization. A chaplain is available 24 hours a day. The interfaith hospital chapel is located on the 2^nd floor of the Main Hospital and open for your use. For assistance you may call the pastoral care office at (804) 828-0928 or ask the nurse to page the on-call chaplain.

Care Coordination
Care coordinators will plan and arrange necessary continuing medical care or supplies after discharge. For medical staff to arrange home care and d.m.e, please call (804) 828-0212 M-F 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. On call weekend coverage: (804) 828-4042.

Social Work
A social worker will help the family deal with emotional stress, hospital procedures, financial problems, and post hospital planning. They provide support, guidance, problem solving, and referrals in the community. Ask your nurse to contact a social worker if you need assistance.

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Quick Facts

Phones
Dial 9 for local calls and dial 8-0 for long distance using a calling card or collect. Incoming calls will not be accepted in patient rooms from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Please avoid using cell phones while in the inpatient units to protect electronic monitors and in consideration of the privacy of others.

Television/Movies
Want to relax in bed and watch a movie? We have a large assortment of movies that you may check out from child life. Please call (804) 828-3415 or stop by the office to view a list. We have cartoons, new releases, and old classics. You're welcome to bring your own DVD's from home as well.

Meals/Snacks
Meals are served at approximately 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m. Patient snacks are also provided. No meals are provided for family. Food may be brought from home if allowed on the child’s diet. Food may be stored in the patient refrigerator labeled with the name, date, and time. The cafeteria, Chick-fil-A and Subway are on the 1^st floor of Main Hospital. Alpine Bagel Café and McDonalds are on the ground floor of the Gateway Building. Snack machines are available in Main Hospital on the 1^st and 7^th floors.

Security
A picture ID is required to visit and discharge patients. A security tagging system is provided on the floor. Please inform your nurse if your child is leaving the room. Children may only go on the play deck with staff or with a parent/guardian. Neither staff nor family may take a patient off of the floor without a doctor’s order. Smoking is not allowed!

Parking
The visitor parking deck on Clay Street is $2.00 a day with a validation sticker. (Stickers are available at the Main 1 information desk.) A weekly parking pass can be purchased at the Main 1 cashier desk for $5.00. There is no charge for parking from Friday at 11 p.m. through Monday at 7 a.m.

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Important Phone Numbers

Admissions (804) 828-5649
Billing (804) 828-0088
Child Life (804) 828-2424, (804) 828-3415
Hospital Information (804) 828-9000
Main 7E Nurses Station (804) 828-4745
Main 7C Nurses Station (804) 828-4961
Main 7 PCU (804) 628-1530
Main 7 PICU (804) 828-4987
CCH 6 NICU (804) 828-9956
Parking (804) 828-1437
Pastoral Care (804) 828-0928
Patient Relations (804) 628-0400
Security (804) 828-1196
Social Work (804) 828-0212

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