Information and visiting guidelines
We value family-centered care, meaning we consider the whole family when providing care to a pediatric patient. We encourage you to be an active participant in your child’s care. We will do our best to make you as comfortable as possible. The following guidelines are in place to provide a safe, peaceful and healing environment for you, your child and the staff.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours for friends and family on the pediatric unit are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parents/guardians of the patient are welcome on the unit at any time. For the safety of all our pediatric patients, the pediatric unit is locked. Please press the intercom button outside of the double doors for entry. This button is located to the right of room 506. Once someone answers your call, let us know the name of the patient you are here to see. You will be issued a security code to receive updates on your child over the phone. In special circumstances, you may be asked to provide this code to visit.
After hours
Between the hours of 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. the main hospital entrance is locked. Please use the Emergency Room entrance, check in with security and they will provide you with a visitor badge.
No entry/exit hours
Please plan not to enter or leave the unit from 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. This is our shift change time when your nurse hands over care of your child to a new nurse coming on shift. We strive for minimal interruptions during this time, so your new nurse can learn everything they need to know about their patient.
Child Life Specialists
Injury, illness and medical treatment can be challenging and stressful, especially for children. St. Charles offers a child life program to help support you and your child during a hospital stay or medical encounter. A child life specialist can help your child with medical and pre-surgery preparation or support for a medical procedure.
Certified child life specialists are educated and trained in the developmental and psychological impact of illness and injury. They work in partnership with families as part of the health care team to meet the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs of children and adolescents.
Each of our child life specialists has earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in child development or related field, completed a rigorous internship and maintains their certification from the Child Life Certification Commission.
If you would like to request the support of a child life specialist, please ask your child’s nurse or any member of their care team or call the Child Life Program directly 541-706-2900 ext. 3579.
Tips for families of long-term patients
Your rest is extremely important. If you don’t maintain your own health, you are unable to provide support to your child. We recommend you leave the room twice a day for at least 30 minutes. This can be a walk in the fresh air or a meal in the cafeteria. Please take the time to care for yourself.
Diversional supplies
We have a play room with age-appropriate supplies that can be checked out for your child. We also have gaming systems available for patient use. Each room has a DVD player, and we have movies that may be checked out or you can bring your own. Ask your caregivers for assistance in obtaining any of these supplies. If your child is on isolation, they are not allowed to go to the playroom. However, we are more than happy to bring toys to their room.
Condition help
Condition HELP is a patient safety program that is available should you have concerns about your child’s medical condition and/or care after you have already spoken to the nurse or doctor in charge. You may activate Condition HELP by dialing ext. 3232.
Sleepover guidelines
- During the current COVID-19 visitor restrictions, only ONE visitor may stay overnight. Please read our COVID-19 visitor restrictions page for more information.
- When setting up your foldout bed, please place it on the opposite side of the room from the door.
- Please be awake and have your bed and bedding taken care of by 8:30 a.m.
- Pediatric patients (17 years and under):
- Children 17 years and under may visit with constant adult supervision during visiting hours.
- One visitor may stay overnight. They may utilize the one sleeping chair provided in the room. Do not bring in any home sleeping supplies (i.e. air mattress or sleeping pad). Please communicate any special circumstances to your nurse.
- Siblings may not stay the night, except for breastfeeding infants under 6 months of age.
- The sleepover visitor may use the shower. We can provide towels and soap. All visitors using the showers are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
Meals
In addition to the patient tray, you may order one guest tray per meal for no charge by calling room service at ext. 7182. Please order from the room service menu. Additional trays can be purchased from room service. Please keep in mind that if your child has diet restrictions, it is best not to eat in front of him/her. Nursing mothers should order meals as if they were the patient since they are supplying the infant’s nutrition.
Other food options
- Cascades Café: Located on the second floor, the café offers a variety of foods such as made-to-order pasta dishes, gourmet pizza, an extensive salad bar and house-made desserts. You can dine in or grab and go. Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.
