Every child gets sick and sometimes requires treatment in a hospital. How to prepare for a hospital stay with a child? What do you need to take with you? What are the rights of the smallest patients?

A dozen or so years ago, hardly anyone cared about the rights of a little patient. As a rule, already in the emergency roomchildwas taken from their parents. From that moment on, it was under the care of nurses and doctors, and the relatives could visit it at a strictly specified time. Fortunately, a lot has changed in this regard.Hospitalsare friendlier, many parents can stay with their sick children around the clock. The caregiver has his bed next to the baby's bed or in a hospital hotel. If it does not, it is usually due to the limited space and sanitation of the hospital. However, in everychildren's wardparents can visit their children not only during fixed hours. Doctors are more willing to involve parents in the treatment process and do not shy away from their questions. The little patient has become a full-fledged patient. There are also campaigns such as "Hospital with the heart", thanks to which the living conditions in children's wards improve and the atmosphere becomes more friendly.

It is worth checking what you will pay for in the hospital

If you have the option of 24/7 care - and you decide to do so - yourhospital stayis paid. After all, you use the bed, sheets, light, bathroom. In addition, you will also pay for meals when you choose the option with board (the hospital does not provide you with lunch, because you are not the patient). The rate is set by the management of each facility, usually a dozen or so zlotys for a night and a few for a meal. It is worth checking what the exact case in the hospital to which you are going is by phone or on the hospital's website.

Important

European Charter of the Rights of the Child in Hospital

Motto: The right to the best possible medical care is a fundamental right, especially in relation to children.

  • Children should be admitted to hospital only when treatment cannot be provided at home, clinic or day hospital.
  • Children should have the right to be accompanied by their parents or guardians at all times in the hospital. There shouldn't be any restrictions for thatvisitors - regardless of the age of the child.
  • Parents should be provided with conditions for staying in hospital with their children, they should be encouraged and assisted in staying with their children. The parents' stay should not expose them to additional costs or loss of earnings. In order for them to be able to participate in childcare, they should be kept informed of how to proceed and encouraged to cooperate actively.
  • Children and parents should have the right to be informed, in the case of children, in a manner appropriate to their age and comprehension. Try to alleviate and avoid unnecessary stress in connection with your child's hospital stay.
  • Children and their parents have the right to participate in all treatment decisions. Every child should be protected against unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
  • Children should be with other children of a similar age. Do not put children together with adults.
  • Children should be able to play, rest and learn appropriate to their age and well-being. Their surroundings should be designed and equipped to meet children's needs.
  • Staff preparation and skills must ensure that children's physical and mental needs are met.
  • The team caring for the child in the hospital should ensure continuity of treatment; children should be treated with tact and understanding.
  • Their right to intimacy should always be respected.

The Charter was signed in 1988 by 13 countries at the 1st European Conference of Associations for Children in Hospital. Poland is making efforts to ratify it.

Preparation for the child's hospital stay - initial diagnosis

Due to the long time of examinations and surgeries, you usually wait for a hospital stay, so it is worth preparing for it as much as possible. Of course, this does not apply to emergencies, when life or he alth is in danger and you have to go immediately. However, if you have time to prepare, gather as much information as possible about the ward, for example by calling the nurses' station or the administration office. Suggestions of friends' moms who are behind them can also be helpful. However, ask them about the organization of the department, the daily schedule or generally accepted habits, rather than about the personal feelings and competences of the staff. Opinions on these issues can be very subjective.

Preparing for your child's hospital stay - packing a travel bag

In addition to clothes, slippers, cosmetics, pajamas for yourself and your child, pack your own mug, cutlery, toilet paper, water in the bagmineral, nappies, toys, documents. The hospital must provide food of all ages (this does not apply to breastfed infants), but you'd better take a formula your little one is used to. In addition, bottles, teats and a cleaning brush. If he also eats other dishes and desserts - take a few jars, not too many as there may be storage problems (better if someone in the family can refill their supplies). There should be a milk preparation station in the hospital (if not there, the nurses prepare the food), a microwave, a sterilizer, a kettle, and a refrigerator. Also, do not forget about your little pastimes - take a book, magazines, crosswords, a foreign language textbook.

Child in hospital - what documents should I take?

When presenting your child to the emergency room, you must have:

  • referral to hospital (not required in life-threatening situations);
  • medical records of the disease (test results, possibly hospital records);
  • child's he alth book;
  • document containing the child's PESEL number;
  • medications that the child takes at home (the hospital may not have them);
  • your ID card or other identity document with PESEL number;
  • proof of insurance - some hospitals require it despite the introduction of the eWUŚ system, confirming whether the patient is insured.
You must do it

You must take to the hospital:

  • documents
  • referral
  • documentation related to the disease (test results, previous hospital discharge)
  • baby he alth book; there should be a PESEL number, and if it is not there, a document giving this number is required
  • your identity document.

How to make the stay in hospital pleasant for your child

Although the stay in the hospital is not very pleasant, do your best to make your toddler feel as little as possible from the change in the environment and your anxiety. Try to organize everything in such a way that the times of meals or naps do not differ too much from those at home. Of course, it is not always possible, after all, the most important are tests, consultations and doctor's visits. Be the spokesperson for your child. Remember the name of the attending physician and ask him about the course of treatment every day. Don't get put off, even when the doctor doesn't have the nicest way to be and just mumbles Latin names you don't understand. Ask about anything that worries you or that you would like to know. But be careful! Do not be bothersome at the same time, do not tire with questions on every occasion. The doctor not only looks after your little daughter or son, but also has other duties. Stay withyour child, if possible, during all procedures; it will make her feel safe and calmer. Especially when the treatments are painful. The test will take place during the admission to the ward, when each patient receives blood and puts on a cannula. It happens that during these activities the staff does not allow the mother to stay with the baby, explaining that the baby will cry more or the parent will faint. Nothing could be more wrong - you will soothe the tears of a child faster, distract him or give him courage. However, you have to pull yourself together, hold back your emotions and tears. This is the only way to help your child survive difficult times. Remember that according to Polish law, parents must consent to diagnostic tests and operations on their child until they turn 16.

Good cooperation between the parent and the doctor can shorten the hospital stay

It is in the interests of doctors, both you and your child, that the child heals as soon as possible, recovers and is released home. Therefore, strictly follow medical recommendations and cooperate with hospital staff. Try not to create situations where children could infect each other. It is better to let the toddler play with the baby from the next crib than to take him to a common room full of toddlers of all ages.Also remember that you, as a mother, have not only rights but also responsibilities in the hospital. So follow the ward regulations and the recommendations of the people working there. Always clean up after yourself and your baby, don't be noisy.

What after a hospital stay?

Even the smallest child experiences stress, anxiety and fear. And a stay in a hospital can undoubtedly contribute to their creation. Foreign surroundings, treatments, white coats - they will probably be associated with unpleasant sensations for a child. So do your best not to aggravate these negative feelings. First, control your own emotions. Parents' mood affects the children, so do not exaggerate your child's illness, do not panic. Secondly: do not remind the toddler that he was in the hospital, do not make him (even just for fun) show him where the nurse took blood or where the doctor was massaging his tummy. Third: as soon as possible, both of you should return to your regular daily routine, such as walks and baths. Fourth: try not to perpetuate the habits that your baby has acquired in the hospital, such as falling asleep with the lights on or eating in bed.

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Child's he alth