To get ready for an overnight stay at one of our locations, you should learn about where you are going, what you’ll need to do and what will happen while you are here. The more parents know about what to expect, the better parents and kids feel.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.
Here are our suggestions for what to do when you learn that your child will need to spend the night at the hospital.
Before your stay, talk with your child’s doctor or staff about the procedures or tests so you'll know exactly what to expect. It is helpful to learn about your child’s symptoms or condition so you can advocate for him or her during their stay.
Use our Family Health Library or search for information about your child’s condition.
The more your child knows about what to expect from their overnight stay, the more comfortable and relaxed they will be. It can be helpful to talk to your whole family to make sure your child doesn’t feel alone and that your family knows what to expect.
When you’re in the hospital with your child, we want you to feel comfortable speaking up or asking questions. You can call the care team to ask questions or you can wait until your stay to meet with the doctors or nurses taking care of your child. Ask for clarification on:
Our doctors, nurses and staff are ready for your child’s visit. If there is a need to change or cancel a scheduled appointment, it is very important that you call at least 24 hours before your visit. This helps us rearrange our staff schedule so we can treat other children who are waiting.
You can change your appointment by calling our main number: 720-777-. Ask to be transferred to the department that is treating your child to cancel or change your appointment.
Before arriving at the hospital, review our hospital policies and procedures, which outline visitation and safety guidelines, to avoid surprises at the door.
You will get a call before your scheduled visit to pre-register your child for their appointment. This ensures you have a quick check-in on the day of your visit and that all paperwork and insurance information is complete and accurate.
During this call, our staff will also give you information about where to go on the day of your visit and how to prepare for your visit. They will go over your insurance information and any copay amount due on the day of your visit. Your care team will call you one to two days before your visit to tell you what time you should come to the hospital for your scheduled visit.
Your insurance provider may need your child’s stay to be approved before you visit. The doctor who referred you should handle these approvals. However, it is important to call your insurance provider to make sure they have given their approval. If not, you could be held financially responsible.
Check to see if we accept your insurance plan and that your plan will cover your child’s visit.
See which insurance plans we accept
Our patient cost estimate specialists can help figure out the amount your family will be responsible for paying based on your:
It’s also important to understand inpatient charges you may have if you are paying without insurance (known as self-pay), or ensure that your child’s specific treatment is covered by your insurance.
You can call 720-777- to speak with a patient cost estimate specialist Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See common inpatient charges
Be sure to bring a list of information about your child’s health:
Also make sure to collect and share:
Children enjoy having clothing and other items from home that can help make their hospital stay easier. Children’s Colorado has diapers, hospital gowns, pajama bottoms and slipper socks for your child. We also have tons of age-appropriate toys and video games.
Whatever you decide to pack, please be sure to label personal items and clothing you bring to the hospital. We’ll do our best to help you keep track of them, but it is your responsibility.
Please do not bring the following items:
Each department or clinic may have specific guidelines, so please ask in advance if you have any questions.
When you arrive at the hospital, allow a few extra minutes for parking, health screening and check-in. Although we do our best to move families through our entrances efficiently, we will not rush the screening process.
At the main Information Desk in the lobby, you will be greeted by one of our Guest Relations team members. You will need to provide identification, such as a driver’s license, so that we can issue you a security badge. All visitors and family members 18 and older will need a badge, and the process is quick and easy.
Also at this time, all patients and visitors will be screened for signs of illness, including cold and flu symptoms, and recent exposures to illnesses. Anyone with symptoms of illness will be required to wear a hospital-issued medical mask. In some cases, visitors with symptoms or exposures may be asked to leave. For updated information on our visitation guidelines, read our hospital policies and procedures.
Once you’ve been screened and have your badge, team members will tell you where you need to go. Parents will be issued wristbands that match their child’s. Please wear these throughout your stay.
At registration, you will verify that the information you provided during pre-registration is on file and is correct. In particular, look at the name, address and insurance information recorded. Once you’ve confirmed everything is correct, the staff will then make a copy of your ID card and insurance card. They will also ask you to pay the co-pay, if there is one.
Once you’re registered and the paperwork is ready, you may need to wait until your child is called back. Depending on the reason for the overnight stay, you may be taken back right away, or you may have to wait a while longer. You will be able to go with your child to most rooms in the hospital, except for the operating room.
When your child is in the hospital you want to understand what is happening, who is caring for your child and what you can do to help. We know you have questions, and we know this can be a stressful time.
We want you to know how you can assist us in caring for your child. We are here to support you and your family and to answer any questions you may have. Just ask!
To provide the best treatment and care, your child's medical team collects all kinds of information from you and your child. Please share everything you can about your child with our staff and ask questions when you have them.
To keep your child safe, please follow these guidelines:
Your child will receive care from many different people at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Depending on your child’s specific health condition, he or she may spend time with one or more of the following health care team members:
Doctors. Your primary care physician will see your child. Pediatric or surgical resident physicians training in specialized areas may also provide care. The residents assist your child's doctor.
If you have questions about your child’s condition, talk with:
Because this is a teaching hospital, you’ll meet medical students, residents and fellows. The best way for them to learn is by working at a hospital. Medical students, residents and fellows:
Nurses. Nurses and their assistants provide most of your child’s around-the-clock care. They also help ease your child’s fears of being in the hospital, being sick and being away from family.
The goal of nursing is to give your child the best care possible. We do this by having the nurses, physicians and other members of the health care team work directly with you. Advance practice nurses or nurse practitioners are nurses with extra education and licensure that allow them to work with physicians to coordinate and plan care for your child.
Nurses:
If your child needs special care after leaving the hospital, a nurse from the Clinical Services and Care Coordination Department will help you plan for:
Patient Care Assistants (PCA). A patient care assistant (PCA) may work with your nurse to provide care. The PCA may assist your child’s nurse by:
Therapists. While in the hospital, your child may work with therapists who specialize in different therapy, including:
Our therapists also work with you to continue therapies at home.
Clinical Social Workers. A clinical social worker, with specialized training in pediatrics, can provide emotional support and other assistance to you and your family. A social worker works with your child's team of doctors and nurses to help you manage:
You can ask a nurse to contact a social worker for you or you can request a social worker yourself by calling the Clinical Services and Care Coordination Department at (614) 722-.
Pharmacists. Pharmacists work with your child's doctors and nurses to make sure your child receives the most appropriate medicines. Pharmacists and Clinical Pharmacists:
Chaplains. Spiritual Care provides you and your family with spiritual support. The Spiritual Care Department assists people of all faiths. Trained chaplains are available 24 hours a day. To reach a chaplain:
The Children’s Chapel is open to people of all faiths, cultures and ages. It is located in the C Lobby on the main floor of the hospital. Join us in the chapel for one of our worship services:
Child Life Specialists. Child Life Specialists minimize stress and anxiety during health care experiences through:
Volunteers. Volunteers wear blue jackets, shirts or vests and a name badge and they work throughout the hospital, including in the:
School Teachers. If your child will be in the hospital longer than a week, ask your nurse to contact one of our teachers. If your child is school-age, the Columbus Public School system assigns a teacher to help with schoolwork. The teacher will:
Early intervention and preschool teachers are available for children up to 5 years of age. These teachers help identify children:
Early intervention and preschool teachers initiate services to help meet your child’s developmental needs. They also can arrange for services in your home community. You can call the teachers at (614) 722-.
Clinical Dietitians. Clinical dietitians provide nutrition care based on your child's:
A diet technician may also provide technical support.
Lactation Specialists. The lactation program at Nationwide Children’s helps moms provide breast milk for their hospitalized infants. Hospital-grade electric breast pumps are available:
To contact a lactation specialist, call (614) 722-.
Where can I find more information about my child's illness?The library at Nationwide Children’s Hospital can help you find the latest information on pediatric health issues.
The library:
Location: Second floor of the Education building
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday
For information, call (614) 722-.
What does isolation mean?Children are placed in isolation for two reasons:
An isolation sign should not be cause for alarm. It is simply a measure to protect your child and others against the spread of infection. If your child is placed in isolation, please check with the nurse in charge of your child’s care for instructions.
How can I help with patient safety?At Nationwide Children's Hospital we are committed to providing your child with quality health care in a safe manner. When your child is admitted, you will receive a guide to Patient Safety in the Health Care Setting. This document includes instructions about the vital role you play in ensuring your child’s safety while in the hospital.
The following information also will help to create a safe environment for your child:
Standard Precautions. Your child’s doctors and nurses must follow Standard Precautions. These measures are required at all hospitals by federal law. Standard Precautions are used to limit the risk of spreading infection and may involve the use of:
Standard Precautions protect your child, doctors, nurses and therapists.
If you have questions about Standard Precautions or Infection Control, please call the Epidemiology Department at (614) 722-.
Hand washing. Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and prevent infections. Hand hygiene involves:
To prevent your child or you from getting unwanted germs, wash hands with soap and water or decontaminate your hands with a waterless alcohol-based hand rub every time you enter and leave the room.
Also wash your hands with soap and water during the following times:
To wash your hands properly:
To decontaminate hands by using the waterless alcohol-based hand rub:
All health care workers and physicians know they must perform proper hand hygiene:
We encourage you to remind health care workers to perform hand hygiene.
Patient and family identification bands. The patient identification band on your child's wrist helps provide positive identification of your child and ensures that quality care is safely administered.
Parents also receive identification.
For the protection of our patients, callers from outside the hospital who wish to speak in detail about a patient’s condition must provide the patient’s care code.
Who can visit my child?We consider families to be a part of the care team at Nationwide Children’s. Parents are encouraged to be with their child as much as can. We suggest visits from friends and other family members be brief. Talk with your child's nurse or doctor about how many visitors are allowed at once or for any other visitation issues.
We want to maintain the best patient care environment possible. To do this, Nationwide Children’s Hospital uses a visitation system for everyone visiting a patient.
Visitors can use our online map for up-to-date maps and directions. Visitors can also call our directional line at (614) 722-.
Hours: Normal visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., the main entrance to the hospital is locked. You can use the Emergency Department entrance, off of Children’s Drive, to enter the hospital during this time.
Restrictions. Young children cannot fight off germs as well as adults. To protect the health and safety of our patients the following people should not visit the hospital:
Please check with your child’s nurse for more specific guidelines about visitation on your child's specific unit. Special visitation requests often are granted. Talk with your nurse or doctor if you have any questions.
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Safety. The safety of our patients is always our top concern. We use a Code Policy to increase security.
You may call at any time to talk to a nurse about your child’s care or condition. Just call the hospital operator at (614) 722- or the Information Desk at (614) 722-.
Friends and family can also call these numbers to leave a message for you or your child.
For the protection of all patients, callers from outside the hospital who wish to speak in detail about a patient’s condition must provide the patient’s Care Code.
These numbers also may be helpful:
We strive to make your child’s and family’s stay at Nationwide Children’s Hospital a comfortable one. Our aim is to provide the best care and comfort to you and your child. If you have questions, the following options are available:
Patient Family Communications Board. Some patient rooms have a communication board for you to leave messages for your child’s health care team. The board includes:
Please feel free to ask your child's nurses and doctors questions at any time.
Patient/Family Liaison. Nationwide Children's offers Patient/Family Liaisons to provide you with additional assistance. Your liaison will:
To contact the Patient/Family Liaisons, call (614) 722-.
Administrator On-Call. An Administrator On-Call is available at all times to handle issues when the Patient/Family Liaisons are unavailable or if a situation warrants their attention. To contact the Administrator On-Call, call the hospital operator at (614) 722-.
Chapel and Spiritual Care. Trained chaplains are available 24 hours a day to provide you and your family with spiritual support. Our chaplains provide assistance to people of all faiths. To reach a chaplain:
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Chapel is open to people of all faiths, cultures and ages. A security escort will be required after 8 p.m.
Location: Second floor of the main hospital.
Services: Interfaith Worship – Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Catholic Mass – Sunday and Wednesday at Noon
Ethics Committee. If you are having difficulty deciding the best course of care for your child, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Ethics Committee can provide more input and help you discuss your choices. The Ethics Committee:
To contact the Ethics Committee, ask your unit manager.
Concerns about your child’s care. If you or your family are concerned about patient care or safety at Nationwide Children's, we encourage you to contact the Patient Liaisons or the Administrator On-Call to request assistance. If your concerns cannot be resolved at these levels you should:
You can park in our visitor parking garage and in parking lots around the hospital.
Click here for detailed maps and directions.
Handicapped Parking. All of Nationwide Children’s parking lots offer handicapped parking. Those requiring handicapped parking for high-top vans are encouraged to speak with Patient Relations by calling (614) 722- for more information.
Valet Parking. Valet parking is available for $5. The valet service is located outside the main hospital entrance, outside the Crossroads Entrance and outside the Outpatient Care Entrance. Valet is also available at the Livingston Ambulatory Center.
Parking Ticket System. There is a flat parking fee for most visitor parking. Tickets are issued at the entrances. As you are exiting the buildings, you have the option to pay your parking fee by using the various “pay-on-foot” stations around the buildings or you can pay from your vehicle as you exit.
If you have questions about parking, please contact Nationwide Children’s Security at (614) 722-.
Vehicle security. When you park your car:
Escorts. If you prefer, a security officer will take you to your vehicle or walk with you from the parking lots into the hospital. To arrange for an escort to your car:
To get an escort from the parking lot to the hospital:
Being in the hospital can be scary for a child. We want a parent or guardian to stay overnight in the patient's room whenever possible. Most units have a cot or fold-out chair for sleeping. The nursing staff on your child's floor can tell you what's available.
If your child is in Intensive Care, you cannot sleep in the room but you may be able to use one of the nearby sleeping rooms.
We can also help you find temporary housing and accommodations.
When you sleep at the hospital:
We provide many meal options for your child and your family, including room service, a cafeteria, food court, two coffee shops and many nearby restaurant choices.
Learn more about dining options, including room service details and a list of restaurants.
For questions about dining options, call Nutrition Services 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at (614) 722- or (614) 722-.
Cafeteria. The cafeteria offers a wide variety of food at all hours of the day. Menu items include:
Seating is provided in the spacious dining room and an outdoor courtyard, weather permitting.
Location: Lower level of the hospital.
Hours:
Early Bird 12:30 – 4:30 a.m.
Breakfast 6 – 10 a.m.
Lunch 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dinner 4 – 8:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
4 – 7:30 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday & Holidays)
Vending. Vending areas are available 24 hours a day and offer drinks and food. Vending locations include:
Food Court.Our food court offers:
A Subway is also located in this area.
Location: Lower level of the Education building
Hours: Breakfast: 6:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Closed Weekends & Holidays
Subway is open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
To promote the health and well-being of our patients, families and staff, we do not sell or offer sugar-sweetened beverages that have no nutritional value. As one of the nation’s leading pediatric health care and research institutes, we are committed to addressing the epidemic of childhood obesity and creating and supporting a healthy work environment for employees.
The healthy beverage plan applies to all patients, families, visitors and staff.
These food service stations no longer offer sugar-sweetened beverages:
We have expanded the selection of healthy drinks to include:
Sugar is still available to sweeten coffee. Employees, patients and families can bring their own sugar-sweetened beverages, but the hospital no longer provides or sells them, except for patients who meet certain criteria.
Regular Coke and Sprite are available for patients who need them. Your child's nurses and doctor will help you obtain these items.
How do I access the internet?At Nationwide Children's we provide free guest wireless Internet access. You are welcome to surf the web according to the terms of our user agreement.
Learn more about our guest internet access.
Where do I go if I need cash?There are two Huntington National Bank ATM machines and a change machine in the hospital. Non-Huntington customers will be charged a $1.50 fee for each cash withdrawal. The change machine will break $10 and $20 bills to $5 bills.
The machines locations are:
Use the hospital map to find each of these areas.
Stamp dispensing machines also are available next to the ATM machines.
The following banks are accessible from Nationwide Children's Hospital. Click the name to see directions, hours, contact info and more.
Huntington Bank
937 E Main St
Columbus, OH
Description: ATM on location
Distance: 0.4 miles
Education First Credit Union
399 E Livingston Ave
Columbus, OH
Distance: 0.5 miles
U.S. Bank
673 Mohawk St, Ste 201
Columbus OH
Distance: 0.8 miles
Bank of America
212 E Main St
Columbus, OH
Distance: 0.8 miles
CME Federal Credit Union
365 S 4th St
Columbus, OH
Distance: 0.9 miles
...see all banks near Nationwide Children's Hospital
Telephones are in each patient room for free local outgoing calls. To make local outgoing calls:
Visitors may dial directly into your room. Check with the Unit Coordinator or the Information Desk in the Main Lobby for your child’s number. Calls coming into the room will only be received between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Friends and family may leave a message with the Information Desk at (614) 722- between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Messages will be delivered to patient rooms.
Long-distance calls must be made through the operator. To make long-distance outgoing calls:
Cell phones are allowed in certain areas. Please follow the posted guidelines or ask your nurse.
Pay phones are located near the elevators in the lobby areas on each floor.
Where can I buy a gift for my child?If you are looking for something special for your child, visit one of our gift shops. Gift cards and a personal shopper service is also available through our gift shop.
Our greeting card service makes it easy for family and friends to express just how much they care and to brighten up your child's room, not to mention his or her spirits.
The entire Nationwide Children’s Hospital campus is smoke-free.
The smoke free policy promotes good health and maintains a healthy environment. All visitors and employees are prohibited from smoking.
Who do I call for housekeeping issues?If you have housekeeping concerns, call the Parent Hotline at (614) 722- from 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Your child's room is cleaned daily. You may be asked to leave the room when housekeeping staff is cleaning.
What activities are available for my child and family?There are many things for your child, your family and friends to do while visiting Nationwide Children's and Columbus. Some options at the hospital include:
Library Cart. Each week, volunteers with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pleasure Guild bring a library cart to the patient areas. Here's how the cart works:
Video Station. Want to watch a movie, listen to music or play a video game? During your stay, you and your child can check out items including:
Location: In the main lobby next to the elevators.
Hours: Varied.
When volunteers are available, the video station will open and an overhead announcement will be made. If the video station is not open, you can leave a message at (614) 722-. When the station opens, a volunteer will return your call.
Playrooms and Teen Activity Room. Kids need to play, even if they are not well. Playrooms are located throughout the hospital. Each playroom:
Please watch your child while in the playrooms and remember to return all toys so other children may enjoy them.
An activity room just for teens is located on the fifth floor. Teens need to request a card key to access the teen activity room. If your child has special needs or is not permitted to go to the playroom, ask your nurse to help you contact a child life specialist for an individual visit.
Rooftop Outdoor Area. An outdoor rooftop area complete with a tugboat is available for you and your child. To use the rooftop area:
Location: On the third floor near the Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy gymnasium.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Clubhouse for Siblings. Brothers and sisters can make your child feel at ease, but they need support during this time too. The Clubhouse helps make the hospital experience easier for siblings by providing a place where kids ages 3 to 11 can:
Location: The Clubhouse is located on the green path near the Magic Forest.
Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Hours exclude holidays.
Out & About in Columbus. For family members or siblings seeking activities away from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, there are many places to visit in Columbus. Check out what's nearby.
?No habla ingles?El hospital proporciona intérpretes médicos para los niños, padres o tutores con déficit auditivo o con límite de habilidad en el idioma Inglés. Por favor comunique al personal médico que necesita un intérprete para comunicarse y ellos le ayudarán.
Para la ayuda financiera, illame por favor (614) 722-.
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