Our interdisciplinary healthcare team, includes parents in healthcare decisions so that they can feel secure in the knowledge that your child is being well taken care of.  Our staff of pediatric nurses, pediatricians and other healthcare providers work hard to make your child’s hospital experience, and your time at PMHD as pleasant as possible.

We want parents to be involved in the care of their child and encourage their participation. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to voice them.

Spending the night with your sick child is permitted. Sleep chairs are provided for your comfort. We allow one parent or guardian to stay each night. If you plan to sleep in your child’s room, please remember to bring a pillow and blanket from home.

Meals are served in the cafeteria from 7:00-9:30 a.m., 11:00-1:30 p.m., and 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. Coffee and tea is available in the cafeteria (free) at all times. Food is not allowed to be brought from the cafeteria or outside the hospital into the Pediatrics Unit.

Children in our Pediatric Unit are monitored very closely to assure their progress toward improved health. For that reason, vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure) are checked at a minimum of every 4 hours and more frequently as the child’s condition requires. It is possible that the child will be woken when these measurements are taken.

Baths are usually given in the morning and as the need arises.

Intake and output measurement is necessary to keep track of your child's' nutritional well-being and fluid balance.

When children are ill, medications are generally given via an intravenous (IV) line. This requires the insertion of a Teflon® catheter into a vein by puncturing the skin. Since the veins of children are smaller and deeper on children, it often takes longer to insert the IV on children than on adults. Children’s veins are also often more delicate than on adults and because of this, IV’s may need to be restarted while the child is hospitalized.

Patient Security:

For your child's safety and comfort, Pioneers provide a safe and secure environment.  Pioneers has an infant and child alarm system that helps protect your child at all times.  Children cannot be taken from the Pediatric Unit without the alarm sounding unless the nurse on duty allows their exit, such when they might need an x-ray or other procedure in another department. To avoid “false alarms,” please observe the policy for taking pediatric patients from the unit or ask the nurse on duty if you do not understand.