Inpatient Guide

Upon Arrival

Lab Work

• If your doctor has ordered blood to be drawn, it will usually be done within two hours
• A urine sample may be collected
• A respiratory swab may be done to check for viruses
• All procedures performed by a nurse will be done in the patient’s room

Radiology Exams
X-ray, CT scan or other radiology exams may be ordered. If so, a parent or guardian must accompany the patient.

Vital Signs
Vital signs are checked upon admission. Rectal temperatures may be necessary for children under age 2.

During Your Stay

Assessment
Patients will be assessed by a nurse every morning around 8am and throughout the day.

Communication Boards
A white board is located in all patient rooms. Contact information for nurses and other staff is written here.

Hourly Rounds
A nurse or nurse aide will be in your room at least once every hour.

Intake/Output
The amount of all fluids the patient receives will be recorded, along with the amount of urine made.

IV

• Insertion will be performed in a treatment room or patient room
• Fluids are maintained throughout the hospital stay
• Pumps and IV sites are assessed every two hours

* If alarm sounds, please call the nurse.

Meals
Breakfast (7am – 10:30am), lunch (11am – 3:30pm) and dinner (4pm – 6:30pm) can be ordered by placing a call to Room Service (ext. 2222). The PMC Restaurant, located on the 11th Floor of May Tower, is open 24/7 (ext. 7588).

Medication
Daily medication is administered around 10am and throughout the day as ordered by physician.

Pain
Pain level of the child will be assessed throughout the hospital stay. Staff will do everything possible to keep pain controlled.

Physicians
Physicians usually make daily rounds each morning by 10am.

Vital Signs
Vital signs will be taken every four hours or as physician specifies.

PMC Facts

Toys
Age-appropriate toys are available at the nurse’s station, but you may bring your own.

Your Room
All rooms are equipped with a television, call light and telephone. To call outside the hospital, dial 9 then the number.

Education
Parent/guardian will be educated on the child’s medical condition and medications.

Visitors
Visiting hours are 9am – 9pm. Overnight visitors must go to the front desk to receive a visitor’s pass.

SHHH program (Sleep Helps Healing Happen)
Quiet time begins at 9pm so patients can receive adequate rest. Lights are dimmed in hallways, doors are closed if desired and overhead pages are turned off at this time.

Discharge Day

• Discharge teaching will be provided and questions answered.
• Follow-up appointments are made.
• IV will be removed.
• Prescriptions will be given to the parent/guardian. PMC will call them in for you, if needed.