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.
