What to Expect at the Children's Center

We know how difficult a hospitalization can be for your family. That's why we're committed to providing your child the highest level of care while making your family as comfortable as possible.

Here's what you can expect during your child's stay in our Children's Center.

Coming to the Children's Center

You'll want to park in our P2 Parking Garage which has an entrance off Centerville Road. Please note that the cost to park is $1 per day.

From the Parking Garage, take Elevator F to the Ground Floor and enter into the Dozier Atrium. Continue straight into the Main Hospital. When you reach the Gift Shop, take a left and you'll see signage for our Children's Center. Take Elevator D to the Second Floor. Upon exiting the elevators, walk toward the doors of the Children's Center and pick up the phone for access.

Upon arrival to the Children's Center, please make sure to have your ID with you and ready for check-in at the front desk.

Visiting Hours

Family and guests are welcome, according to patient/family preference. 

Patients admitted to the Children’s Center may have up to four visitors at their bedside at a time, including the patient’s parents. Patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) may have up to two visitors at the bedside, including the patient’s parents. Visitors under the age of 12 are not permitted in the PICU, except under special circumstances. 

Family and visitors are encouraged to trade out as necessary so that our patients are not overwhelmed with visitors. There is a waiting room located just outside the Children’s Center for your convenience. Visitors under the age of 18 years will need to be accompanied by an adult. To promote patient healing and rest, we encourage families to restrict visiting hours so your child can rest between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.

Staying with Your Child

You may stay with your child 24 hours a day, every day. If you're unable to be there or need to leave, please arrange for another responsible adult (18 years or older) to stay with your child. Let your child's nursing team know if your child will be alone for a significant period of time.

If you have to leave the Children's Center and would like to call and check your child's status, please ask for instructions from your nurse before leaving the hospital. No children, other than admitted patients, may be left unattended. 

Personal Plan of Care

Your child's care team will create a care plan specific to your child and their needs. We encourage you to be a part of your child's care and may ask you to get involved as you feel comfortable.

Please note that before we can begin your child's care, we must first verify their physician's orders.

Your Child's Healthcare Team

Members of your child's healthcare team will make hourly rounds to patients. Key members of that team include:

• Physicians - Your physicians will visit your child at least once a day and answer any questions you may have. Your doctor will make decisions based upon the team's reports of your child's needs.
• Nurses - A nurse will routinely assess your child's condition and nursing care needs, as well as give medications, change dressings, etc. Their nurse will educate you and your child about their illness, procedures/tests to be performed, new medications and possible side effects. During their stay and at discharge, your child's nurses will also provide you education on home care, home medications, follow-up appointments and any other instructions given by their physician.
• Patient Care Assistants - A patient care assistant (PCA) will check your child's vital signs and tend to your child's personal hygiene needs.
• Child Life Specialist - We have a certified child life specialist (CCLS) on staff to support both you and your child. A CCLS is someone who specializes in child development and children's reactions to their hospitalization. Our CCLS is available to provide developmentally appropriate explanations for tests and procedures as well as procedural support. You will also see them making sure your child has opportunities to play. Learn more about Child Life.
• Music Therapists - Our music therapists participate in music sessions with our patients to increase coping skills, reduce pain and stress and enhance relaxation strategies. Learn more about Music Therapy.
• Animal Therapy - Animal therapy provides the opportunity for children and caregivers to visit with trained therapy animals. Patients and families who are not on contact isolation can request a visit through their nurse. Learn more about Animal Therapy.

In addition to the care providers above, your child's healthcare team also includes:

• Nurse technicians
• Respiratory care staff
• Dietary staff
• Dietitians
• Housekeeping staff
• Social workers
• Pharmacists

Bedside Reports

At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, we conduct “bedside reports” to keep you better informed about your child's plan of care, medications, tests, procedures and progress while they are here. This involves the nurses doing bedside reporting in your presence, at each shift change to ensure proper communication of all important information and to introduce you to your new nurse.

We believe bedside reports will benefit you and your child by keeping you better informed of your child's condition. It also allows us to maintain the high-quality care you expect as a parent of a patient at Tallahassee Memorial.

Routine Monitoring

Members of our nursing staff will check your child's vital signs (temperature, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate) every 4 hours. We may check your child's vital signs more or less often depending on the physician's orders and your child's condition. If your child is receiving fluids or medication through an IV, the nurse will check the IV site every hour to ensure it is working properly. Your physician may order for your child to be weighed every day. This is done between midnight and 6 am if the patient is less than 1 year old. We also routinely perform lab work early in the morning so that results will be back before the physician rounds.

While your child's rest is essential, we will monitor his/her condition throughout the night. We always strive to allow for as much rest as possible and appreciate your understanding.

Leaving the Children’s Center

Once your child has recovered, you will be discharged from the Children’s Center. If medication is needed, the Pharmacy at TMH will provide you with your child’s medication at their bedside, saving you a trip to the Pharmacy.