Pediatrics at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph
We believe in family-centered care. We are here for you and your child and we will do everything we can to make your child's hospital stay as comfortable and reassuring as possible.
It's never easy for a child to be away from home, even for a short time. Rest assured that your child is the most important part of our "hospital family." The Pediatric Care Team includes registered nurses, dietitians, social workers, respiratory therapists, pastoral care, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists to help facilitate the care your child is given Pediatric Hospitalist are involved every step of the way. Hospitalists are doctors who manage your care while you are in the hospital; they coordinate and consult with specialists, monitor your progress, and stay in close communication with you, your family, and your primary care physician. All of our hospitalists are experienced doctors who are board-certified or board-eligible in their specialties. Hospitalists are uniquely qualified to navigate the departments and specialties within our hospitals; they act as liaisons with surgeons, pharmacists, nurses, care managers, social workers, and even hospital executives.
You are the most important person in your child's life. We encourage you to stay with your child as much as possible. We encourage you to take part in as much of his or her care as possible.
Special Services for Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph:
- The RN staff are all Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified. This is a requirement to work on the unit.
- There is a play room for diversionary activities.
- The Pediatric Unit is a secured unit with coded access by staff only.
- There are child-specific menus and room services for the children.
- The St. Joseph unit also provides sick care for associates' children while they are at work.
- There are HUGS security systems to monitor patients who are five years and younger in the Pediatric Units
We have open visiting hours
We encourage only two visitors at a time so your child can get adequate rest. Our patients' comfort and privacy are a major priority. Visitation may need to be limited at the discretion of the nurse or physician order.
Both parents or legal guardians are welcome to stay until 10 p.m. After that time, we ask that only one person stay with the child overnight. If you are spending the night with your child, we have shower/bathroom facilities for your convenience. Children under 18 are welcome to visit, but must be under supervision of an adult at all times and can not spend the night with your loved one.