There’s nothing parents want more than for their children to be happy and healthy — but sometimes little ones need a little extra help in order to be healthy. If your child needs to go to the hospital, you want to make sure you’re at a facility where you’re comfortable and with practitioners who make you feel comfortable. But the search for a hospital can feel intimidating — where do you even start? Don’t stress, we’ve got you covered! Here are some important questions to ask yourself when choosing a hospital for your child:
Why choose a pediatric/children’s hospital?
Hospitals aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are specialized hospitals for all sorts of things: oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, maternal fetal medicine, etc. When you want the best care in a specific field, going to a specialized hospital is a great option; and when it comes to children, there’s no better option than a pediatric hospital.
For a long time, children were treated like they were small adults — but they’re not! Their growing bodies are different and they have unique needs requiring unique treatment and special care. In fact, there are some diseases that present differently in kids than adults, and some childhood illnesses that are rarely seen in adults. At a children’s hospital (versus a general/adult hospital), they’ll have specialized caregivers with specific skills and compassion, right-sized equipment and supplies, and a family-centered approach to medicine.
At pediatric hospitals, care isn’t only directed at the patient — it’s geared toward the whole family, from start to finish. Practitioners are specially trained to understand children and communicate with them (and their parents/guardians effectively).
What should you look for in a children’s hospital?
Now that you know why it’s so important for children to be treated at a pediatric hospital, the next step is choosing the specific hospital. Most parents know to look for a hospital that has the necessary specialists and is located nearby, but there are a lot of other things to consider as well.
One of the most important things is your level of comfort with the care your child is receiving, so it’s a great idea to start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, and your pediatrician. Next, make sure the physicians, specialists, and subspecialists are all board-certified. On top of that, you should look for National Accreditations and Awards for Excellence, as well as Magnet® Recognition for nursing excellence. Finally, make sure to look at the policies and visiting hours to make sure they work for your family, especially if you want to stay overnight with your child.
Why to consider St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children:
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA, is a fantastic pediatric hospital with nationally recognized programs and comprehensive services. St. Christopher’s has a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, the Highest level NICU, a Pediatric Burn Center, and more than 220 pediatric experts. In addition to the hospital, St. Christopher’s has convenient outpatient locations and pediatric specialists, as well as community outreach programs.
Clover’s Story:
When Clover was born, her grandmother immediately noticed something was wrong: Clover had clubfoot. At just a month old, Clover was referred to St. Christopher’s Hospital orthopedics department and Joseph M. Rosenblatt, DO, for treatment. After foot casts and braces, Clover was discharged at age three (two years before most children get discharged). Clover’s grandmother couldn’t be happier with the results. “They were great about giving instruction, and we just had to follow what they said,” she said. “I am so glad we did.”
Storm’s Story:
Melissa was overjoyed to find out she was pregnant with a baby girl, but her baby was diagnosed in utero with a rare genetic condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease. Melissa’s daughter, Storm, was born via cesarean section, but a few hours after birth she was transported to the NICU at St. Christopher’s. She needed multiple procedures over the next few weeks, and her parents visited her every day. Storm’s care team had meetings with them every morning and every night to talk about her care plan and progress. After eight long months, Storm was able to go home; along with support from St. Christopher’s home nursing team, case manager, discharge planner, and outpatient services (overseen by the Chair of the Center for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs), Melissa was able to create an ICU in her living room to take care of Storm. Now, Storm is a happy five-year-old! OI isn’t curable, so Storm still has complex medical care. Her team at St. Christopher’s includes specialists from the orthopedics, otolaryngology (also known as ear, nose, and throat), gastroenterology, pulmonary, ophthalmology, endocrinology, audiology, neurosurgery, nutrition services, and dental departments, all of whom provide child-friendly, family-focused care. "Everybody knows and loves Storm there,” Melissa said. “I’m thankful we can travel to one hospital and see all her doctors in one place. I am thankful that if she gets a fracture right now, I can call orthopedics, and they can see her right then or the next day. I don’t have to wait a week for her to be seen. Overall, I’m thankful for the hospital being here and understanding my daughter’s rare disease."
