Paediatrics

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Paediatric Unit

Our 21-bed paediatric  unit and its team of staff specialize in providing compassionate care to a child suffering from a wide range of diseases that affect children 0-18 years of age. During your child's hospital stay you will meet many members of the health care team, but you will probably have the most interaction with your child's doctor and nurses. Your child's doctor is ultimately responsible for your child's care, but please feel free to ask questions or voice concerns to any of the nurses or doctors you interact with.

You will also see our Service Assistants in navy blue uniforms.  These people work the same shifts as your nurses but are not responsible for you or your child's hands-on care. Service assistants are stationed to the floor and perform the duties of the porters and housekeepers. Together, they hope to contribute to you and your child's positive hospital stay.

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Your Admitted Child

Please bring pajamas, a robe, non-slip shoes or slippers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a brush or comb, soap and any other personal items your child may need.  Make a list of these items and give it to your child's nurse. Please be sure to take all outdoor clothing home and bring them back with you when your child is discharged. 

Please Do Not Bring

Although we work hard to ensure a secure environment, the hospital can not be held responsible for lost or stolen valuables.  Therefore, please leave all valuables such as jewelry, watches, large sums of money and credit cards at home with family or a friend.

For safety reasons please do not bring small toys that can be swallowed, latex balloons or plug-in electrical equipment.

Balloons and Latex Products Not Allowed

For the protection of patients, staff and visitors who may have a latex allergy/sensitivity, we ask that you do not bring latex products into the hospital.  If your child has a latex allergy please inform a health care professional at admission.

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Helping to Care for Your Child

We encourage you to be involved with your child's care.  Very often you can assist with bathing, feeding and changing - the types of things you would normally do at home. Sometimes, your participation may be limited because of equipment or treatments being given, but please do not hesitate to ask your nurse how you can be of assistance and support to your child.

Going for Tests and Surgery

Your child may need tests or surgery during their stay at Southlake Regional Health Centre.  Most of the tests are done on the second floor in x-ray or ultrasound departments.  You may accompany your child for some of the tests.  Please ask your child's nurse if you have any questions.

Paediatric Asthma Clinic

The clinic provides Asthma Education and Assessment for difficult to manage asthmatics.  A physician's referral is required.  Please phone (905) 895-4521 ext 6216 for more information.

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Paediatric Playroom

We make every effort to ensure a positive hospital experience for children by providing access to a large playroom with a great selection of toys and books.

We also provide television sets at the bedside, VCR and video games that can be brought right to your child's room.  You are welcome to bring your child's favourite toy or blanket, but please be sure to label these items with your child's name.

Visiting Hours

Your visit to the hospital can play a very important role in the care of your child.Visiting is restricted for young visitors under the age of 10. Please see our Patients & Visitors section for additional visiting information.

We welcome young visitors under the age of 10, but request they be accompanied by a parent.  Please help us provide a quiet environment by ensuring the visiting child remains quiet at the bedside.

A child's illness can be stressful and tiring to a family. We understand that there will be times when you are not able to visit your child. Please feel free to call the nursing station any time to ask about your child - (905) 895-4521 ext. 2617.

When you are not at the hospital, you can be assured the nursing staff will contact you if:

• There is a change in your child's condition
• The nursing staff are unable to settle your child
• Your child is homesick and wanting to see a parent

Please make sure we always have a telephone number where you can be reached. Information can only be given to parents.

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Staying Overnight

One parent is welcome to stay overnight. Medical and nursing staff will support whatever decision seems to be in the best interest of the child and family.

Guidelines for parent/guardians staying overnight:

• Only one parent/guardian (must be 18 years old) may stay overnight.
• A cot will be provided when available. If possible, please bring your own pillow, sleeping bag and toiletries.  Some rooms cannot accommodate a cot; therefore, only a chair may be available.
• Please fold up and store the cot in order for regular hospital activity to take place. Also, please fold linen and store under the crib.
• Only a parent/guardian of the same sex may remain at night with an adolescent (10-18) due to the sensitivity of children this age. In any room occupied by an adolescent, only persons of the same sex are able to stay overnight.  This policy is strictly enforced.
• During the night, nursing care continues to be provided; therefore, your sleep may be interrupted from time to time.
• Shower facilities are available for parent use.  Please bring your own towel, soap, etc. Please limit the number of personal belongings you bring as your child's bedside table is the only available space for you.
• For sanitary reasons, we ask that all visitors use the visitor washrooms that are clearly signed and located by the entrance of our unit.

PLEASE NOTE:

We are aware that you may wish to comfort another child whose parent is not present; however, for the protection of our children and families, we must ask that you not pick up or care for another child.  Nursing staff would appreciate being notified of any child that needs care.

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Leaving the Unit

A child may leave the unit accompanied by a parent only on the written order of the child's attending physician.

If you wish your child to leave the unit, please request an order from the attending physician.  Your nurse can assist you in making the request.

To ensure that staff are aware of your child's absence, you will be required to sign a logbook at the nursing station when leaving the unit and again upon your return.  Unless your child is signed out for the entire day, it is suggested that any absence from the unit be brief so that you do not miss special investigations, treatments or physician visits.

Fire Safety

You may hear one of our regular fire drills (Code Red) during your or your child's hospital stay.  If you are on your child's Patient Care Unit when you hear the alarm, please return to your room and keep your door closed. If you are in another area of the hospital such as the cafeteria or the gift shop please stay where you are until you hear the "all clear" signal over the intercom.  A staff member will inform you should any action become necessary.

Security

As a parent, the safety of your child while on the paediatric unit is very important. Hospital staff, physicians and volunteers can be easily identified by their photo identification badges. It is mandatory for all of these individuals to wear their ID badge while at the hospital. If you require assistance, observe a suspicious person or activity, have lost personal items or have any security concerns, please notify the Security Office at (905) 895-4521 extension 2385 or inform a staff member immediately.

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Telephone Solicitation

While your child is a patient at the hospital, please do not give out any personal information about yourself over the phone to individuals claiming to represent a service or product (i.e., baby photographer, insurance etc). The hospital has no method of ensuring callers are reputable or offer a legitimate service or product.  If you receive such a call please advise your nurse immediately.

Infection Control

For the protection of your child, please do not visit if you have a cold, flu or any other illness that is easily spread.

If you have been exposed to someone with mumps, chicken pox or measles in the last two weeks, please do not visit, as it is possible that you could infect your child or others with the disease.

Please ensure your child's visitors are aware of these guidelines.

Food Services

Nutritionally balanced meals are served to patients at approximately 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Please check with a nurse on the unit before you bring your child anything to eat.  This is important especially if your child is on a special diet. Please do not share food or drinks with other children in your child's room, as they may also be on a special diet.

All patients on table food will be provided with a menu to choose their daily meals.

The pantry, located beside the nurses station, is stocked with juice, cookies, baby formulas and baby foods. These items are for patient use only. Popsicles are also available in the fridge for children who are restricted to clear fluid diets. Please ask your child's nurse for assistance with food choices.

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Televisions

see Patients & Visitors Section

Telephones

see Patients & Visitors Section.

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Discharge

Your Health Care Team will determine when you and/or your child is ready to go home, and you will be given specific instruction to follow once you leave the hospital.  You may also be given prescriptions for medication and a follow-up appointment time with your doctor.

Only parents or persons having legal custody may take a child home.  If someone else is going to pick up your child, we must have written permission and that person must be 16 years of age or older and present a valid photo identification such as a driver's license.

All children must be accompanied from the Paediatric unit upon discharge.

The law requires babies and young children who are travelling by car to be in an approved safety car seat.

Before leaving the hospital, please go to Financial Services located on the main floor of the East Building to settle any outstanding charges.  Patients going home on weekends will receive their bill in the mail if any charges are outstanding.

For additional information see Patients & Visitors section.

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Responsibility of Family

In order that the discharge process proceeds as smoothly as possible, Southlake Regional Health Centre would appreciate if you and/or your family would:

• Provide necessary clothing to be worn at the time of discharge.
• Pack, remove and transport all personal belongings.
• Fill prescriptions for medications prior to or immediately following discharge.  For you convenience, Bridle Trail Pharmacy is located on the main floor of the East Building.
• Make arrangements for the necessary equipment or home modifications as instructed by the Health Care Team.
• Be available to receive necessary instructions for you or your family member's care prior to discharge.
• Inform the Patient Care Unit of any unforeseen circumstances that may delay discharge.
• Have a certified car seat available at the time of discharge for infants or small children.

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For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.