Here are some of the common questions parents and families ask. If you don’t see your question listed, just ask us.
What are your visiting hours?
We don’t have visiting hours because we encourage families to stay with their child while he or she is hospitalized. However, for your child’s safety, we’re a locked unit. This means as a visitor, you must use the phone located just outside our unit to speak with a staff member who will then open the security doors for you.
What should I bring with me if my child is hospitalized?
For your child’s visit, you should plan on bringing:
- A car seat or booster seat – you’ll need this when your child is discharged.
- Your child’s favorite bottle or sippy cup – your child will need to eat and drink before he or she is discharged, and a familiar bottle or cup makes this easier.
- Comfort items for your child – pacifiers, stuffed animals, a blanket, books, toys, or music.
- A list of current medications, if any.
- Any legal documents if custody or guardianship has changed.
What is the general routine for the care my child receives?
Pediatric Care – A nurse will assess your child at least every four hours; more often if necessary. Each time, vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and oxygen saturations will be assessed. A physician will see you at least once a day, and the nursing staff can contact physicians as needed.
Pediatric Intensive Care – A nurse will assess your child at least every two hours, and more frequently as necessary. Each time, vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and oxygen saturations will be assessed. A physician will see you at least once a day. Additionally, the nursing staff can contact him or her as needed.
What’s the difference between pediatric care and pediatric intensive care?
At Flagstaff Medical Center, pediatric care is provided by pediatric hospitalists or surgeons who are trained to care for ill or injured children in the hospital.
Pediatric intensive care is provided by pediatric Intensivists who are trained to care for critically ill or injured children. The entire nursing staff is specially trained to care for all children who arrive on our unit, no matter how sick or injured.