Pedi Etiquette

[RNJEN818]

I'm new to peds and was wondering what is the best etiquette when making introductions? Do I introduce myself first to the child then the parents? Or the parents first? Does it depend on age of the child? What approach would build the best rapport?

[dansamy]

It depends on the child. Their age, developmental considerations etc.

If my patient is a toddler to young preschool age, I introduce myself to mom, then kiddo. Mom needs to be at ease & kiddo needs to see/feel that to accept my presence, much less touching them. Older kids, I usually pull up a chair or sit next to them on the bed.

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[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

It depends on a lot of things. If the patient's mom is at the bedside and it's a young child, I introduce myself to the Mom first. If the patient is an adolescent, I'll introduce myself directly to them. If it's a child with severe cognitive and developmental delays who has no one at the bedside, I still talk to him and introduce myself to him even though he likely doesn't understand.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I always say hi to the patient first, regardless of age. Then general greetings.