Facing surgery can be a stressful experience for anyone — especially for children and their families. Whether it’s a minor procedure or something more complex, the thought of a hospital visit can bring feelings of fear, confusion, and anxiety.
That’s why support and preparation can make a significant difference in how your child copes with the experience.
Alissa Bergstresser, pediatric nurse practitioner at UPMC Children’s in Central Pa., shares tips for supporting and preparing your child for surgery.
- Ask questions in advance. It helps you and your child know what to expect on the day of surgery.
- Be honest with your child. Explain why they’re going to the hospital and what they will experience while at the hospital in appropriate terms. UPMC Children’s Child Life Specialists can also work with the patient preoperatively to help them understand what to expect and even show them pictures of what they will see.
- Advocate for your child. If you let us know ahead of time, we can accommodate your child and make it as stress free as possible.
- Emphasize that they will be asleep during the procedure. If applicable, remind the child that they won’t feel anything because they will be asleep during the procedure.
- Highlight the positives that will come after the surgery. Remind your child of the good that will come from the surgery.
Surgical procedures are one of the many services UPMC Children’s in Central Pa. provides local families. The pediatric surgical team performs simple to complex procedures for conditions like abdominal pain, hernias, pectus excavatum and carinatum, skin lesions, gallbladder removal, tongue tie, and more.
Many of the surgeries are performed at UPMC Harrisburg, where the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) exists. Since the PICU’s opening in 2020, UPMC Children’s in Central Pa. has expanded its pediatric services, specialties, providers, and locations across 11 counties to provide access to general pediatrics, specialty services, and critical care for children and families.
The comprehensive program includes:
72-bed inpatient unit at UPMC Harrisburg
The unit has a full range of health care services and resources with infants, children, teens — and their families — in mind. It is staffed with child life specialists, physicians, and nurses, focused on caring for newborns through young adults with a range of medical needs – from surgical to critical care and everything in between.
Four neonatal intensive care units (NICU)
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide advanced treatment to newborns with special medical needs. UPMC Harrisburg and UPMC Lititz are level III NICUs and UPMC Carlisle and UPMC Memorial are level II NICUs. Level II NICUs care for sick or premature newborns who are in stable condition, while Level III NICUs are for babies who are critically ill, very premature, or need surgery.
Dedicated pediatric transport team
The dedicated pediatric and neonatal critical care transport team includes highly trained, pediatric and neonatal-focused providers who evaluate and treat the patient to the appropriate level of care and safely transport the child by ground or air 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Well-renowned pediatric specialists inside and outside of the hospitals
With caring for 14 different specialties – from allergy to endocrinology to ophthalmology to neurology – the pediatric specialists help families better understand their child’s condition, listen to concerns, and focus on finding the treatments the child needs for their diagnosis. Specialty services are available throughout the region in an outpatient office setting, but the specialists visit children in the hospital when necessary.
Seven regional hospitals
Across our seven hospitals in central Pa., teams assess and treat children with urgent needs in the emergency department. Plus, the local teams have access to pediatric emergency care experts 24/7 at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh if necessary.
Pediatric-Only Express Cares
From pink eye and the flu to fractures and x-rays, UPMC Children’s Express Cares are dedicated to pediatric patients only. When a pediatrician’s office is closed, families can visit the Express Care in person or use the after-hours and weekend video visits from their home. The pediatric certified providers treat minor injuries and illnesses. No appointment is necessary – families can just walk in.
Children’s Community Pediatrics
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics consists of certified pediatricians who are there from the time the family is expecting until the child becomes a young adult. From earaches and injuries to puberty and anxiety, the care goes beyond the standard well-visits or when your child gets sick.
Whether it’s a routine checkup, a specialized procedure, or an unexpected emergency, UPMC Children’s in Central Pa. provides care for your child close to home. Plus, with access to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the pediatric teams have even more resources available for families.
Visit UPMC.com/CPAHospitalPediatrics to learn more.
