Altru's Pediatric Hospital provides age-specific care to children from birth to age 18. We work with families to make hospitalization as stress-free as possible by encouraging family involvement and providing a base for family-centered care.
Our care includes state-of-the-art technologies and around-the-clock support. We provide inpatient and outpatient services that focus on the acute management of illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We work with Altru's Psychiatry Center and social workers to provide inpatient child psychiatry when needed. Patient and parent education is a key component to health and healing and is a cornerstone of our care. The pediatric unit also extends the care of Altru's NICU by helping parents become more accustomed to caring for their premature infant before transitioning to home.
Outpatient Services
Altru's Pediatric Hospital also offers outpatient services. Sometimes a child may require sedation for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computerized tomography) scan, EEG (electric encephalopathy gram), evoked hearing tests (ABR) or renogram. Should your child require this type of testing, we have specially trained nurses that will sedate and accompany your child through the procedure and recovery. Your child will return to our unit after the procedure on a cardiac, apnea and oxygenation monitor to watch his/her heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations. Your child will be closely monitored to ensure a safe recovery.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Parents are encouraged to stay with their child. We provide pull down beds and cots to allow you to remain with your child. Each room has a TV/VCR and we offer a wide variety of videos to help you and your child pass the time during your stay. You will be admitted to a private room when available. We also have a parent's lounge with snacks, couches, TV and educational materials for your convenience.
There is an indoor playroom offering a wide variety of toys, games, books and crafts. The playroom is also home to our 55-gallon aquarium for children to enjoy. Patients and visitors may use the playroom with the supervision of an adult from their family.
As part of your stay, your child may enter into a monthly drawing for a variety of child safety items.
As your child's condition allows, we offer a whirlpool tub, an a la carte menu, a computer and other electronic games.
We encourage parents to bring comfort items from home such as the child's favorite toy, blanket, pillow, etc. This allows the child to feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar place.
Visiting Hours
Parents/guardians and grandparents are welcome at any time. General visiting hours are 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Siblings may visit during general visiting hours but must be supervised by a parent/guardian. Children under 14 (other than siblings) may visit at the discretion of the nursing staff. Please limit the number of visitors present at one time. In order to protect our patients, please do not allow visitors that have been exposed to a contagious illness (i.e. chicken pox, measles, mumps, flu or colds).
Safety and Security of Your Child
We are dedicated to your child's safety and well being. As part of a comprehensive security plan, authorized staff are available to transport your child off the Pediatric Hospital unit. When you are unable to be with your child, please give the nurses a telephone number where you can be reached. We will only give out information to parents/guardians.
In an effort to protect our patients, those wishing to visit patients of Altru's Pediatric Hospital must obtain a daily visitor code from the parent/guardian.
Feel free to call us at any time regarding your child at 701.780.5660.
Additional Resources
Infant & Pediatric:
Parent Information:
