MeritCare Children's Hospital
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Tips for Parents Staying at the Children's Hospital
Your child will cope with a hospital stay in a more positive way if you are there to comfort and reassure them. If you are planning to stay with your child, these are some things that may help you to plan ahead:
- Visitors: Parents and grandparents can visit anytime. Your other children, family and adult friends may visit between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Overnight Accommodations for Parents: One parent may stay at your child's bedside on a cot overnight. Other adult family members may stay in the family room, at nearby hotels, or at the Ronald McDonald House near the Hospital.
- Showers: A shower is available for your use. Ask the nurse about it when you arrive or when you're ready to use it.
- Phone Calls: Each child's room has a phone that can be dialed directly—dial (701) 234-5--- and the child's room number. Parents and grandparents may call in to speak with the hospitalized child and parents may also call for information about their child. (We will not give information to anyone except parents. You will receive more information about this when you arrive.)
- Meals: The Hospital cafeteria is open 24 hours a day. MeritCare Prairie Mill Café & Gifts, located on the ground floor of the Hospital, is also available, along with vending machines. You may bring meals to your child's room if you would like to eat together.
- Care by Parents: We want you to be involved in your child's care. You may do bathing, feeding, and other activities that you're comfortable with, but you must take care of yourself, too. Please talk with your nurse about how to balance this, so you get needed rest, meals, and breaks if you plan to stay 'round the clock with your child. If you are not in your child's room, the nurses will check in to insure his or her comfort.