Spending the Night at the Hospital
At Children’s National, our approach to caring for patients involves the entire family. We work closely with you to ensure the best outcomes and a positive experience while your child is a patient with us. We make sure you have the information, resources and support you need to be an active member of your child’s care team.
Staying Overnight with Your Child
Parents and legal guardians are welcome to visit Children’s National 24 hours a day. We strongly encourage parents to be with their child during an overnight (inpatient) stay. Your presence is comforting, especially for younger children.
Either both parents or up to two guardians can stay in a child’s room. Most inpatient rooms at the hospital include a bed and a reclining chair. There are also sleeping spaces located close to the rooms in quiet waiting areas.
All visitors must check in with the nurses or social workers on the child’s unit and follow visitor rules for that unit.
Hospital Amenities
While your child is receiving medical care at Children’s National, we want to be sure that your family’s needs are being cared for. Explore the various resources we offer, from dining on-call for patients to laundry facilities for your family.
Welcome to Our Visitors
The comfort of a patient's loved ones can mean a lot during their hospital stay. Family members and friends are welcome to visit.
After Your Hospital Stay
Once your child is ready to go home from a hospital stay, please make sure you receive your child's discharge instructions before you leave. Remember that discharge planning is a team process. You are a team member, so express your questions or concerns. Ask questions so you know what to expect when your child leaves the hospital.
Your healthcare team will explain follow-up treatments needed after the hospital stay, and, if appropriate, provide instructions for medications and ongoing care that you or someone in your family will need to provide for your child. A case manager will help you arrange for additional special services.
Before You Leave the Hospital
- Give your doctor, nurse or case manager all the phone numbers that can be used to reach you.
- Give us your pharmacy’s name and phone number, in case we need to call in prescriptions.
- Understand what prescriptions your child needs and make sure they are filled and ready for pick-up from your local pharmacy before discharge.
- Tell your nurse if you may have a problem getting your child home.
- Ask your friends and family to help you with your child who is coming home from the hospital and to help you with their siblings or other members of the family, while you are busy helping your child adjust.
- Be at the hospital and ready to take your child home on the day of discharge.
- Be flexible, as discharge plans can change depending on your child’s condition and needs.