Patient and Family Handbook

Everything you need to know about admission

The Patient and Family Handbook of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa provides information about:

• Preparing for admission
• What to bring with you
• Fear and anxiety about hospitalization
• Housing
• The admission Process
• Pain management
• Visitors
• Discharge
• Patient rights and responsibilities
• The hospital ethics committee
• Maps of the area and local services

If Your Child is to Have Surgery 

We want to make sure the time you spend with your physician is productive and any concerns you have are addressed. The following questions are frequently asked by many parents as they approach surgery for their child. Thinking about these questions in advance may help you prepare for your visits to Shriners.

• Please describe the operation to me. Where and what size will the incision be? How do you identify the site where the incision will be?
• Why does my child need this operation?
• Will he/she need more surgeries after this one?
• Could you tell me how long my child will be in the operating room?
• Will I be notified how my child is doing during the surgery?
• What are the benefits of having this operation?
• What are the risks of having the operation?
• What if my child doesn’t have this operation? Are there alternatives to surgery? Should I get a second opinion? If I do, does Shriners Hospital pay for it?
• As a parent, where should I go during the operation?
• Because I sign a blood consent does that mean you are going to give my child blood?
• What kind of anesthesia is used?
• Should I give my child prescribed medication prior to surgery, like seizure medication?
• Can my child continue to take herbal treatments?
• How long will my child be in the recovery room?
• How soon can I see my child after surgery?
• What should I expect after surgery?
• Will there be swelling?
• Will he/she have any monitors, IV’s, oxygen?
• Will he/she be in a cast?
• Will my child go to Intensive Care Unit after surgery?
• How much pain will my child be in?
• How do you manage the pain so my child is as comfortable as possible?
• Can the parents spend the night?
• When will we be able to go home?
• If we have any complications/problems after we go home whom should I call?
• Do I need to arrange for help to take care of my child at home or can I do this myself?
• Will I need to arrange for special equipment for my child when we go home?
• When can my child start regular exercise again and go to school?
• Should we bring his/her walker, wheelchair, braces, etc.?

Your Checklist for Admission

__   1. As soon as possible, contact the Admissions Nurse at (813) 975-7102 if your child will need translation services for hearing/speaking/visual impairments.

__   2. Arrange transportation. Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

__  3. If your child is having surgery, be sure his/her hair is free of beads, hair extensions, and accessories.

__  4. Have breakfast before coming to the hospital unless otherwise instructed.

Bring the Following:

__  5. Your Admission Booklet.

__  6. Your identification card for insurance, state and/or federal program such as:

        HMO
        Self-insured program
        CMS, Voc Rehab, EI
        SSI
        Medicaid/Medi-Pass (green/white or gold ID card)

We ask you to bring your card just in case it is needed. If our physician requests that your child have an evaluation or test that can only be done at another facility, Shriners will pay what is not covered by your insurance/program. Shriners will make the appointment , but the outside facility will need the information on your ID card. If you belong to an HMO, we may ask you to get pre-approval from your primary care physician.

__  7. Your child's up-to-date immunization (shot) records.

__  8. Custody, guardianship or divorce papers, if applicable.

__  9. Optional: Completed and notarized advance directives for patients who are 18 years or older. If we have not already discussed advanced directives with you, we will take care of this during admission.

__  10. Any prescribed medications your child is taking.

__  11. One of your child's favorite possessions, such as a toy, book, blanket, photograph, music, Walkman, Gameboy. Please mark your child's name on everything.

__  12. Sturdy, well-fitted shoes or sneakers for the patient to use.

__  13. Bring his/her own clothes. Mark your child's name on everything.

__  14. All of your child's assistive devices (orthosis, prothesis, walker, wheelchair, prone stander, crutches, parapodium, communication board/device, laptop computer, shoes, hand splints, etc).

__  15. If your child is using supplemental feeding/formula, please bring one day's supply (e.g., Ensure, Pedisure, Sustacal).

__  16. Pull-up disposable training pants if you do not want to use the hospital diapers.

__  17. Personal hygiene supplies if you prefer to use your own (i.e., shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste).

__  18. Your child's school books and assignments