Pediatric Hospital Medicine

During a hospital stay, your child’s health and safety is the care team’s priority. As a parent/guardian, you are also an important part of the care team. Below is a list of ways you can keep your child safe during a hospital stay.

Identification

  • Make sure your child always wears their ID tag or bracelet. Let the care team know if the tag or bracelet falls off or gets lost. If your child is 6 months or younger, they will also have a security tag called a HUGS tag. Let the care team know if the HUGS tag falls off.
  • Always wear your orange ID bracelet. This bracelet lets the care team know that you are the parent/guardian. You will receive the bracelet when your child is admitted to the hospital. Let the care team know if the bracelet falls off or gets lost.

Preventing the Spread of Germs

  • Before entering your child’s room, wash your hands with soap and water.
  • After using the restroom or changing diapers, wash your hands with soap and water.

On the Unit

  • Before entering the unit, use the intercom. A staff member can let you in.
  • Do not hold the doors open for anyone you do not know.
  • If your child has guests visiting, ask visitors to use the intercom and check in at the front desk. They should also wear a visitor sticker at all times.

In the Hospital Room

  • To prevent falls and injury, move slowly around your child’s crib or bedside and wear non-skid slippers or shoes.
  • If your child feels weak or dizzy, ask the care team for help before moving your child.
  • Keep the guardrails up on your child’s crib or hospital bed, even if you only turn away or leave the room for a moment.
  • Keep the hospital room free of clutter. Bring only what you and your child need during the hospital stay. Keep personal items out of the way where people walk.
  • If your child is sharing a hospital room with someone else, keep your belongings separate from the other families’ belongings.

The Care Team

  • Know who is on your child’s care team. All staff have a picture ID. You can ask to see a care team member’s ID badge at any time.

 

Rev. 4/2018

Reviewed by the MGHfC Family Advisory Council