Policy on Peds Patients

Trauma Columnist · Jan 4, 2008

Never heard of this as a policy. My children and grandchildren have all been hospitalized and I would never dream of leaving them alone. But it was not a rule, just my idea.

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

In the hospital I work only one parent can stay the night. If they choose to leave that is their decision their child would still be taken care of.

Most parents however choose to stay the night with their child.

MikeyJ, RN · Jan 5, 2008

One or two parents are allowed to stay the night at our facility, although we can only accomodate one with a cot. If the other parent stays, they either need to share the cot or one needs to sleep in a chair.

The parents are not required to stay though. It makes it much easier on the child if the parent is there, but sometimes circumstances do not make it easy for the parent to stay.

I work at a county hospital, so we get the children that belong to the state, orphans, etc. Thus those children have no parents.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

We allow one or both parents or grandparent to stay overnight. With the approval of the charge nurse, an older (over 18) sibling can stay instead. Sometimes a sibling is allowed to stay with the parent if there is no one to watch them at home (we have quite a few single mothers with multiple children). However, any sibling that stays overnight must be quiet and respectful or they will be asked to leave.

My hospital is overly lax about visitors- I wish that security and the charge nurses would crack down more often than they do.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

One or two parents can stay, and if a sibling has no one else to care for them they may stay as well. One problem we have had, I don't know if anyone else does, is that parents will think they can leave their 16-year-old child alone overnight with their 16-yr-old boyfriend or girlfriend... we will walk in to find the two alone, the concerned S.O. all snuggled up in bed with the patient... I understand love and all that and sometimes we can use discretion depending on the patient, but usually that is just not allowed at our hospital... that's about the only hard-and-fast rule regarding visitation (there are technicaly visiting hours but no one follows them...)

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 5, 2008

When my child was in hospital a couple of months ago on a pediatric floor, parents were highly encouraged to stay, but they couldn't require it. There was one cot for a parent to sleep on, and the cafeteria sent trays up for one parent. The unit was not a locked unit, but a simple hospital floor, and I preferred to stay. Luckily I had family help with my other child so I could stay.

vaughanmk · Jan 5, 2008

We allow 2 parents to stay in the room if not in the ICU. Parents may leave at any time, hoping that they notify staff. Siblings and friends cannot stay unless the parent is breastfeeding the sibling.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jan 5, 2008

after visiting hours are over 1 parent may stay...they need an ID badge specially designed to say they are approved to spend the night.

not required.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 5, 2008

I don't understand this idea of "requiring" someone to stay with the child. Is there any place that actually has such a requirement? What do they do if the parent does not stay? ... kick the poor kid out into the street?

Parents leave their children alone in the hospital all the time -- partuicularly babies and children who are long term patients or frequent patients. Yes, lots of parents choose to stay -- but not everyone chooses to do that, or could do that if they chose to.

WoosahRN, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2008

We do not require parents to stay. We are a locked unit and they get info on safety when they are admitted. They get a band that matches their child's and they use the ID info when they need to enter unit or call and check on pt. We can put one piece of furniture in room and parents have been known to both stay on one piece or if child is stable and it is discussed with parent, one can sleep in bed with pt. No underage visitor is allowed to stay without an adult (ex: a pt's friend cannot be dropped off to visit). Also boyfriend/girlfriend's are not allowed to be alone in a room. Door must be open and they cannot be cuddling in bed. It's all a liability issue. We have not had too many probs with this. But it is always hard to tell a 16 or 17 y/o that they are not an adult. I did have a prob with this one time involving a very angry 17y/o girl. Also we do have a lot of CPS cases. I can think of several where parents just stop showing up becuase they can't handle it. And there are always several single parents that do have other kids at home. Every situation is different.

TexasPediRN · Jan 5, 2008

At one hospital I worked at it was required that the parent stay with the child.

Where I am now, I dont think its required, but recommended. Most parents stay - others, such as the parents of chronic kids and heart babies who are there for months, eventually go back to work and come stay at night. Some only come every other day or so.

Its sad- I personally wouldnt leave my child alone in the hospital- I'd find someone to go stay with him/her, even a family friend, grandma, neighbor, etc. Anyone so that they wouldnt have to be alone.

I prefer when the parent stays - expecially of an infant. If its busy and im having to feed an infant q2 hours its hard - and I feel terrible if im late on the feeding. And toddlers who PO feed slowly - they end up sitting out at the desk with me in the highchair eating while I chart. Not the best way but..it works..