Focused on the Family

“We’ve designed the Heart Institute around this family-centered model. The Heart Institute services are almost entirely on the third floor, making it easy for families to provide care and support for their children. In addition, we practice primary nursing, which means as often as possible, patients receive care from the same nurses throughout their stay.”   — Janet Davis, RN, MSN, director of The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute

For kids, a stay in the hospital can be frightening, and often they’re comforted by one thing only: their families. At The Children’s Hospital, our staff recognizes that families are our partners in care, which is why we’ve incorporated family-style conveniences in every aspect of our new hospital.

At The Children’s Hospital, the philosophy of family-centered care means family members can conveniently remain with the child 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

“Because parents know their children best, we’ve made the family an integral part of our healthcare team,” said Kathleen Reeves, MS, LPC, director of family services for The Children’s Hospital. “By making the hospital more family-friendly, we’re making it easier for parents and siblings to be involved in the day-to-day medical, emotional and social needs of their child.”

Here are some of these family-friendly features found in our new hospital:

• Private rooms with sleeper chairs can accommodate up to two overnight guests, as well as private bathrooms with a shower.
• Family lounges and hospitality areas feature additional sleep rooms, washers and dryers and a kitchenette.
• A “room service” menu features ample meal and snack choices.
• Playrooms in the outpatient surgery area are designed for kids to relax before going into surgery.
• A Creative Play Center acts as a daycare center for siblings of patients in the hospital.
• A unique Teen Media Center has been designed just for teens. See No Parents Allowed!
• A convenient parking garage is dedicated to patients, families and visitors.
• A family health library empowers the family with information about their loved one’s illness.

“So much of a family’s fears can be reduced not just by the level of care provided, but also by the environment,” said Tracy Price-Johnson, MBA, family-centered care consultant for The Children’s Hospital. “If it feels like a healing environment that welcomes the entire family, each family member will be less anxious and experience less stress. This enables them to support the patient that much better.”