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the ACH Family Information guide.
WELCOME
Our Mission Statement:
In order to enhance, sustain, and restore health and development of children,
Arkansas Children's Hospital provides excellent clinical services, teaching
and research. ACH is committed to working with others to achieve high quality,
cost-effective, fully accessible services for Arkansas’ most precious
resource, our children, without regard to race, religion, or inability to pay.
Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) is one of the nation’s leading children’s
hospitals. It is also one of the largest and most respected hospitals exclusively
for children in the United States. Our staff and volunteers are specially trained
to work with children with the goal of improving their health. Also, our goal
is to treat all children, and their parents/caretakers, with care, compassion,
and understanding. We are totally committed to improving the lives of children.
We work with families to insure that each child gets the best possible care.
We encourage you to:
- ask questions and request the support you need;
- let us know of your family’s beliefs, traditions, and ways of coping;
- tell us about your child and make suggestions to us about their care.
Since our hospital is large, it can also be confusing and even scary. This
guide is intended to give you information about coming to the hospital, especially
if this is your first time, and to answer questions about the hospital that
will make your stay easier. Hopefully, this information will reduce normal stress
and anxiety about coming to the hospital. If there is information you need which
is not included in this guide, please call the Social Work Department at (501)
364-1406; or while in the hospital ask any of our staff, who will be wearing
a badge. Interpreters are
available, when needed at no charge to parents.
PREPARING FOR COMING TO THE HOSPITAL
The following ideas may help make your child’s trip to the hospital less
stressful:
- ASK (you and your child) when you need more information;
- LISTEN to your child and open lines of communication to
ask questions, to cry, and generally talk about feelings. Share your feelings
too. Remember that children are sensitive to their parents’ emotions
and react to them. So, get all the information you need to reduce your own
anxieties about hospitalization;
- COMFORT your child, and keep other family members in the
information loop to reduce their anxiety. Remember that your health and well-being
are also important and need special attention. During the hospital stay, ask
the nurse assigned to your child’s care about touching, talking to your
child, or holding or holding your child. That comfort is extremely important
and is encouraged when it doesn’t interrupt the healing process;
- ROUTINES are very important to children, so try to maintain
as much of the family’s normal routine as possible. Bring a favorite
toy, book, or photograph from home so that something in the room will be familiar.
Always be honest and explain to your child when you are leaving and when you
will return.
Some things TO bring from home:
(Please note that ACH is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen articles)
- Toys, games, books, audio or videotapes, photographs;
- A favorite stuffed animal or blanket;
- Glasses, hearing aids, crutches, braces, corrective shoes, or other orthopedic
aids;
- Medications and a list of all medications your child is taking;
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, comb and other toiletries;
- Schoolwork, if appropriate;
- Some of your child’s own clothes for going home and because when they
are able, children like to wear their own clothes;
- Health insurance card and name/address/phone number of your child’s
doctor at home;
- Slippers and shoes;
- A car seat for taking the child home (for patients up to 6 years of age
or 60 pounds);
- Parents who plan to stay at the hospital will also need these items for
themselves (label all clothing with the family name to avoid confusion). Washers,
dryers, and laundry detergent are available to family members at no cost;
- A phone card and debit (ATM) card, when available; You will need money or
food (non-refrigerated) for meals for yourself and any other visitors
- Any medication you, the parent, may need since our doctors can only write
prescriptions for our patients.
- A small tape recorder or notebook to write down questions or information
from the healthcare team
- Radios, computers, computer games, hair dryers, etc.
- Cellular phones can be used in some parts of the buildings; in others they
cannot be turned on due to the possibility of interfering with sensitive medical
equipment
Some things NOT to bring from home:
- Latex balloons are not allowed due to possible health hazard;
- Flowers are not allowed in critical care areas;
- Small toys which could be swallowed;
- Baby walkers;
- Valuables or anything which cannot be replaced.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR HOSPITAL
How Do I Get From Here to There?
Within the hospital there are overhead signs and signs on walls to direct you
to different areas. Inside each entrance there is also a large diagram of the
hospital.
If you are confused, just approach any hospital employee (you’ll know
they’re an employee because they’ll be wearing an identification
badge!) and ask for assistance.
Area maps are also available
on our website and from various
staff members.
Patient Rooms
Children are assigned to rooms based on their diagnosis, needs, and room availability.
Every effort is made to make the patient and family comfortable; some rooms
are private and some are shared with one or more others. Each room has a phone,
television, VCR, patient bed. Rooms in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
also have DVD players. Remember that if your child needs a crib, the side rails
need to be up at all times.
Overnight Accommodations for Parents
Your contact with your child is important to maintain the parental bond, increase
a sense of security and well-being, and to insure that care in the hospital
will be continued at home. As a result, ACH attempts to accommodate two parents
per child in either the child’s room or in the waiting room. There are
many different types of patient rooms; in some there is one sleeper chair while
others are large enough for two sleeper chairs. In most intensive care areas
provision for two parents per child is provided in the waiting area. The PICU
has provision for one parent to sleep next to the child. Unfortunately space
does not permit sleeping arrangements for additional family members; children
under 18 years are not permitted to stay overnight at the hospital.
Of course, any family member, adult or child may not visit or stay overnight
if they are sick.
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) is across the street from the hospital and
can accommodate some parents on a referral basis. There are application forms
for the RMH at the desk in each waiting area: families are assigned to a room
as they become available. Eligible parents are at least 18 years of age and
live more than 50 miles from ACH. Mothers with c-section delivery of children
younger than one month in one of the intensive care areas are given first priority;
other new mothers of children in the intensive care areas are given second priority.
Families of children older than 30 days are then placed by order on the waiting
list. If you have questions or need help with the application, contact the Family Support Assistant in the waiting rooms. There are a limited number of
out-patient rooms which can be used for one to two nights; contact the Social
Work Department for a referral.
The ACH Family RV Lot
There is a small, free RV lot at the hospital which has hook-ups, but no waste
disposal. You may call ahead to the Security Department, (501) 364-4353; space
is on a first come, first serve basis. There are also RV
lots in the central Arkansas area through Arkansas State Parks and Recreation
and other national organizations.
There are also some local RV campgrounds and several nearby hotels/motels
which give a reduced rate, nightly and weekly, to our parents. (This is an incomplete
listing of sites which are not endorsed by ACH)
Isolation
Some children are placed in various forms of isolation because they have a contagious
illness or are immunosuppressed; during that time, visitors may be limited and
family members may be asked to use a different bathroom or wear a glove/mask/gown.
Please remember that any limitation of this nature is for the well-being and
safety of you, your child, other children, and staff.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms located in almost every patient room which the families
may use (the exceptions are isolation areas e.g. Bone Marrow Transplant Unit,
some areas of the PICU, NICU, and CVICU). There are public restrooms and showers
on each floor of the hospital. Of course, courtesy and tidiness are encouraged
for each family using the facilities.
Washers and Dryers
Free laundry areas are available in several locations throughout the hospital.
The Family Support Assistant in the intensive care waiting rooms can provide
small packages of laundry detergent at no cost.
Meals
Children who eat regular food may order their choices from menus provided daily;
within doctor’s orders they may also receive a meal ticket from the Unit
Secretary to go to the cafeteria and choose from many food types. The hospital
has an extremely limited meal assistance program; primarily each family is responsible
for buying or bringing their own food. For exceptions contact the Family Support Assistant. A variety of foods at varying costs are available in the cafeteria,
and there are many nearby restaurants and restaurants which will deliver food
to our hospital. Vending machines are also located at several sites within the
hospital.
Cafeteria hours:
Breakfast 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Grill remains open until 4:30 p.m.
Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Grill remains open until 10:00 p.m.
TV’s and Telephones
ACH has limited cable access selected primarily for the enjoyment of children
and families; there is also an in-house channel with health information and
live presentations of special “happenings” within the hospital.
Free telephones and televisions are provided in each room. Local calls may
be made by dialing 9 + the local number. Long distance calls may be made using
a long-distance calling card or by calling collect. For long distance calls
dial 9+ 1 + area code + phone number. There are also pay phones located at several
places in the hospital.
In intensive care waiting rooms there are areas designated for each family’s
phone messages. Some children’s rooms may be direct dialed; check with
your nurse to see if this service is available in your child’s room.
Some clinics and departments have toll-free numbers for calling into the hospital;
there is no general toll-free number. Check with your clinic or departmental
staff.
The main hospital number is (501) 364-1100.
Gift Shop
Looking for something special for you or your child? Visit the Playaway Gift
Shop just off the main lobby on the first floor at the front of the hospital.
The gift shop has a variety of toys, stickers, stuffed animals, balloons, candy,
cards, magazines, postal stamps, clothing, and seasonal gifts for both children
and family members. They may even have your child’s favorite cartoon character.
Gift Shop hours:
Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mail and Newspapers
There is a post office collection box in the breezeway close to the Emergency
Department for out-going mail. Our Child Life Department sorts and delivers
patient mail daily to the bedside. Mail for family members will be brought to
the child’s room or the respective waiting area whichever is appropriate.
Computers are available in the Family Library located on the first floor of
the Sturgis Building where e-mail may be checked and sent. E-mail greetings
may also be sent from home to in-patient children using the hospital’s
main website at www.archildrens.org.
Local newspapers are available in newspaper racks outside the South Entrance
of the hospital and in the Playaway Gift Shop.
Smoking
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is now a totally tobacco and smoke-free environment.
That means smoking and tobacco use will not be allowed on Children’s property,
including buildings, grounds, and parking area for the health of the kids.
Automated Tell Machines (ATM’s) and Money Orders
ACH has two ATM machines located outside the cafeteria exit. The closest places
to claim a money order are the Harvest Foods grocery store locations on South
Main and 12th Streets. Remember that identification is required to claim a money
order.
Lost and Found
Contact the ACH Security Department at extension 44353.
Safe-keeping for Valuables
We strongly recommend that you do not bring valuables and/or items which can’t
be replaced to ACH; however, if you have a large amount of cash or other expensive
item you may ask your nurse or Social Worker to assist you in having the item(s)
placed in the safe of the Security Department. Small lockers are available in
the waiting rooms of the intensive care areas; the Family Support Assistant
will assign a locker and combination lock to you on a space available basis.
Parents and Visitors
We know that visitors are important for both you and your child’s support
and encouragement. Visits may also help your child feel better more quickly.
Generally, parents are welcome to visit their child for as long as they wish;
however, each unit determines their visiting policy. Your child’s health
will determine the number of visitors and length of visits permitted.
In the interest of your child’s safety, parents are given “Parent
Badges” at the Admissions desk in the lobby at the front of the hospital;
wear this badge at all times to help hospital staff identify you.
Parents not spending the night at the hospital and any other visitors
may visit between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily.
Healthy children of any age may visit with their parents in the waiting rooms
and in some patient rooms. They may only visit in intensive care areas with
the attending doctor’s permission. Children (under 18) do not spend the
night in the hospital and need to always be in the care and supervision of an
adult. Toys may be available from one of the playrooms or by notifying the Child
Life representative, if needed; however, when visits by little ones are planned,
it is a good idea to bring two or three of their favorite, quiet toys or games
to keep their interest.
We make every effort to provide a calm and orderly environment for our patient’s
health and recovery from illness. If there are unfriendly relationships with
various family members or ex-family members, please settle those before coming
into the hospital since no verbal or physical abuse will be tolerated on site.
It is possible for the parents or legal guardians of a child to restrict certain
individuals without legal rights from visitation at ACH. Please be aware that
you may be asked to provide a copy of custody and visitation court papers when
such requests are made. We ask that adults behave as adults because we are all
here for the well-being, safety, and treatment of children. Your Social Worker
may assist you with these issues, if necessary.
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