What to do in case your child has to be hospitalized
Your child wakes you up at 3 a.m. and says, “Mom, I can't breathe.” Last fall and winter, this was happening a lot as an unprecedented number of children were hospitalized with RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — to the point where hospitals ran out of pediatric beds.
Few things are scarier than a child having to be hospitalized — scary not only for the child, but also for the parents, grandparents and guardians. Among the 5 million or so annual pediatric hospitalizations, the most common diagnoses are respiratory in nature, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia and asthma.
Hospitals are also seeing more admissions of children with a mental health crisis, cannabis poisoning, accidental gunshot wounds and other conditions associated with life in the 21st century.
How do you make sure the experience of hospitalization is less traumatic for your child and for you? And how do you advocate for a child in the hospital? Based on my experience as a critical care nurse and private patient advocate, here are some of my recommendations.
In the emergency room
If you have to take your child to an emergency room, try to make it to a children's hospital. That's because EDs at many general hospitals are ill-prepared to care for severely ill or injured children.
Emergency departments receive a “Weighted Pediatric Readiness Score” to assess whether they have the right equipment, staffing, training policies and patient-safety protocols in place.
New research finds that children initially treated at trauma centers with the highest level of pediatric readiness are significantly less likely to die than those initially treated at one with lower readiness.
In any emergency situation, be prepared to advocate for your child by providing specific symptoms, when they appeared, whether there has been fever and immunization status. You can also ask whether it's appropriate to transfer your child to a pediatric hospital.
Preventing infection and contamination
Children have less immunity to germs and viruses than adults. Insist that every medical professional treating your child practice hygiene protocols, such as wearing masks and gloves and washing their hands, followed by an alcohol sanitizer.
After admission
With luck, your child will be admitted to a pediatric unit, where staff are trained to care for infants, children and teens, and rooms are designed to be comfortable for kids. If a pediatric unit is unavailable or full at your hospital, that's another good reason to request a transfer to a children's hospital.
Most children are continuously monitored in pediatric units. Wires may be connected to their body and chest with small, painless stickers. They may receive supplemental oxygen. They will be under the care of a pediatric hospitalist and other medical staff who are specially trained to work with children.
Explaining hospitalization
Kids know when you're not telling them everything. Whether the hospital stay was scheduled or sudden, provide your child with age-appropriate information and answer questions as honestly and completely as possible.
Use nonthreatening words that your child can understand. Try to avoid words such as “painful” or “scary.” Describe what might happen using the senses: Share what your child might smell, hear, feel or see while in the hospital.
Keeping it familiar
Most pediatric units and children's hospitals encourage parents to remain at the child's bedside — and, really, where else would you want to be? When a child has to be taken for an X-ray or other test, go with them. (If someone other than a parent will be with the child, be sure to sign a HIPAA release giving your permission.)
Ask if it's OK for your child to have a favorite stuffie or two and a pillow from their own bed. Can they wear their own pajamas? Come with books, games, video games and other entertainment to fill the hours.
Parents: The best advocates
Advocating for your child is an important part of being an active participant in their care.
This is not the time to let emotions drive your behavior. The best way to help your child through a hospitalization is to communicate effectively with the medical team, ask questions, take notes and record your observations of your child's condition.
You know your child best, so don't remain silent if something doesn't seem right. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to the hospital's patient advocate, social worker or a private patient advocate who can help communicate your concerns.
Finally, while it can be challenging, try to maintain a positive outlook. It may help your child get better that much sooner.
• Teri Dreher is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care nurse for 30+ years, she is founder of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). Her book, “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon. She is offering a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers; call her at (312) 788-2640 or email teri@northshorern.com.