Patient Care Services

So Your Child Is Having Surgery…A Guide for Parents
Greenwich Hospital Preoperative Pediatric Tour Program
Additional Resources for Children and Their Families
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So Your Child is Having Surgery…
A Guide for Parents
Your doctor has arranged for your child to undergo a surgical procedure. We realize that hospitalization can be a new and difficult experience for both parents and children. The purpose of this guide is to introduce you to our hospital and staff, to answer some questions you may have, and to help make your visit a positive one.

Preparing Your Child for Surgery
Each child responds to new experiences in a unique way. However, there are some universal issues that arise for children at different ages. Here are some helpful hints:

Parents play a key role in caring for a hospitalized child. You are the most important person to your child. At Greenwich Hospital, you are an essential part of the health care team. We encourage you to participate in your child's care in any way that you feel comfortable. If you want to help feed, bathe, or assist in treatments, just let us know. If you prefer to read to your child or "just be there," that's okay, too. We will do all we can to make you and your child feel at ease.

Infants and toddlers can be the most difficult age group to prepare for surgery because of their limited understanding and use of language. The biggest fear for children this age is being separated from their parents. Bringing a favorite stuffed animal, a pacifier or blanket along to the hospital may be helpful. But most of all, your little one wants you nearby. Hold your child and reassure her that you'll be there.

Ages 2-6 can be a challenge. It's important to tell children the truth about why they are going to the hospital, how long they will stay, and what they can expect to see and do there. (Example: "You will wear a hospital gown and see nurses and doctors.") Encourage your child to express fears and to ask questions. Children this age worry about being separated from their parents, so it's important for you to reassure your child that you will be there as much as possible. Reading books together can help both of you learn how to cope with feelings and concerns.

Ages 6-12 is a time when children love to ask questions. Encourage your child to do so. Begin discussions when the child seems ready, at least a few days before admission. Be honest about what to expect. Explain that anesthesia will be used during the operation; the child will feel no pain and will wake up when it's over. Books can be very helpful at this age. See recommended books and additional resources for children and their families.

Teenagers are concerned about what will happen to them in the hospital. Encourage your teenager to ask questions (No question is stupid!) and to talk directly to the nurses and doctors. Reassure him that any fears or feelings he may have about the surgery are normal. Include your teenager in any discussions or decisions about his care. Assure your child that personal privacy will be respected.

Scheduling a preoperative tour
One important way you can prepare for surgery is to schedule a Preoperative Pediatric Tour, prior to your child's admission. Tours are open to all children, their parents and siblings. Getting to know the hospital staff, procedures and environment before the day of surgery can help to make you more comfortable and ease your child's fears. To arrange a tour, call Greenwich Hospital Volunteer Services at (203) 863-3222. (See more about the Greenwich Hospital Preoperative Pediatric Tour Program below.)

Preoperative tests
Your surgeon or pediatrician will let you know if your child will need blood tests or other procedures before surgery. We will do everything we can to help make any preoperative work go smoothly and easily.

Day before surgery
On the evening before surgery, a nurse will call to give you instructions and tell you when to arrive. Your child should not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight the night before surgery unless specifically instructed to do so. If your child has a cold, fever, or has been exposed to chicken pox, notify your doctor immediately. The surgery may have to be rescheduled.

What to bring to the hospital
A day or two before the scheduled surgery, pack the things your child will need at the hospital, including a favorite book, toy, blanket, game or activity. Older children and teenagers may bring battery-powered devices; electrically powered devices are forbidden. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, please check with the Pediatric nurse at (203) 863-3553. Do not bring valuables; label anything that is precious to your child. If you are planning to stay overnight with your child, bring along whatever you will need.

Day of surgery
You should arrive at the hospital on the scheduled day, at the specified time. After stopping at the Admitting Office to verify information, you will be escorted to your child's room on the Pediatric Unit. Nurses there will check your child's weight, pulse, temperature and breathing, and give her a hospital gown to wear to surgery. In the Surgical Area, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist will ask more questions.

To avoid a separation that could be frightening to your child, parents of children over six months of age will be permitted to accompany them into the Operating Room and to stay until the anesthetic takes effect. You will be reunited in the Recovery Room immediately after the operation. We encourage you to have a snack in our Cafeteria or Coffee Shop while your child is in surgery. You will be given a beeper so that you can be notified immediately when surgery is over.

Your child will be in the Recovery Room until she is awake enough to return to her room. There, post-recovery care will be provided along with any instructions you will need to care for her at home. Note: Your child may be wide awake and alert right after surgery, or she may be groggy for a while. If you have any questions or concerns, bring them to the attention of your anesthesiologist.

Staying overnight with your child
If your child is required to stay overnight, one parent may stay with him. A sleeping space next to your child's bed will be made available.

Visiting
Each child is allowed two visitors at a time. Parents may visit 24 hours a day. General visiting hours are from 12 Noon until 8:30pm. Visits by children under 14 must be pre-arranged with the nurse. When you visit, please note that cell phones, 2-way beepers, 2-way radios and other electrically powered devices are not allowed in patient care areas.

At home
Taking care of a child after surgery can be stressful. After your child is discharged from the hospital, a nurse will call to see how he is doing and to ask if you have any questions or concerns. If there is anything you need to discuss, please don't wait for us to contact you. Call the Pediatric Unit at (203) 863-3553 and ask to speak to a nurse. It is never a bother to answer a parent's questions! You should also feel comfortable calling your surgeon or pediatrician.

Have your child rest or "take it easy" as much as possible and limit strenuous physical activities. You will be given instructions on diet, medication and other issues. Remember, you know your child best. Your judgment is most likely the right one. We are here to support you.

Greenwich Hospital Preoperative
Pediatric Tour Program
A child's surgery can be stressful for parents and children. At Greenwich Hospital, we do everything we can to make the experience positive for everyone involved. To help you prepare, we invite you to tour our Pediatric Unit and hospital facility before the scheduled day of surgery. You may also request a video or DVD version of our virtual tour of the hospital by calling (203) 863-3553.

Why a preoperative tour?
The more you know beforehand about what is entailed when a child has surgery, the less stress you feel. Your comfort in coping with a new and difficult situation will be reassuring to your child. Most children fear the unknown. Seeing and learning about the hospital before surgery will help them to think of the hospital as a friendly place, and will make this experience seem more predictable.

You will have an opportunity to:

• meet the staff
• ask questions
• familiarize yourself with the hospital's physical layout
• go through the steps in the admission process
• get to know the places you will go to on the day of surgery
• learn about your child's medical care
• gain a better understanding of anesthesia and pain management
• receive handouts, references and other materials

Who will conduct the tour?
Your tour will be conducted by a volunteer or by a staff member from our Pediatric Unit who will be involved in your child's care.

Who can come?
Tours are open to all children, their parents and siblings. Children will receive information in an age-appropriate format.

When should you schedule the tour?
You should have your tour during the week prior to surgery. Make the appointment as far in advance as possible. Tours are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00pm.

To schedule your tour, contact Greenwich Hospital Volunteer Services at (203) 863-3222, or e-mail MargueriteH@greenhosp.org.

Additional Resources for Children
and Their Families

Publications
For the following exceptionally helpful publications, contact the Association for the Care of Children's Health (ACCH), 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD, 20814; telephone: (800) 808-2224.

• For children: Visiting the Hospital
• For parents and Caregivers: Your Child in the Hospital
• For Teenagers: Visiting the Hospital
• A Pediatric Bill of Rights
• Preparing Your Child for the Hospital: A Checklist

On the Internet
www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Click on "You & Your Family." www.babytalk.org

KidsHealth.org provides helpful information on preparing yourself and your child for the hospital and surgery.

The following list of books and videos is copyright 1999. American Medical Association and the Nemours Foundation (www.ama-assn.org/KidsHealth). Used with permission.

Books (found in libraries and/or bookstores)
Margret and H.A. Rey, Curious George Goes to the Hospital. Houghton-Mifflin Co., 1966. (Toddler through kindergarten)

Anne Civardi and Stephen Cartwright, Going to the Hospital. EDC Publishing, 1986. (Preschool through grade 2)

Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood), Going to the Hospital. GP/Putnam's Sons, 1988. (Preschool through grade 3)

Deborah Hautzig, A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital (with Jim Henson's Muppets). Random House/Children's Television Workshop, 1985. (Preschool through grade 3)

Claire Ciliotta and Carole Livingston, Why Am I Going to the Hospital? Lyle Stuart, 1992. (Grades 1 through 4)

Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeline (the story about her appendectomy). Viking Press, 1967. (Grades 1 through 4)

James Howe, The Hospital Book. Morrow Junior books, 1994. (Grades 3 through 6)

Lisa Ann Marsoli, Things to Know Before You Go to the Hospital. Silver Burdett co., 1984. (Grades 3 through 6)

Sharon Carter and Judy Monnig, Coping with a Hospital Stay. Rosen Publishing Group, 1987. (Junior and senior high school)

Videos (found in libraries and/or bookstores)

Mickey Visits the Hospital. Disney Educational Productions, 1988.

Sesame Street Home Video Visits the Hospital. Children's Television Workshop, 1990.

Your Child's Anesthesia. Nemours Center for Children's Health Media, 1994. (This award-winning video is available through the American Academy of Pediatrics by calling 1-800-433-9016.)