Thoughts about childcare during procedures

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I have been thinking of this for a long time now. Some of you may actually have some sort of system set up in your hospitals since you are in bigger cities, etc. What would you think of this idea or does your hosptial already have something similar?

When going for a procedure (ex. my u/s with my third child) I sometimes have to drag the other two kiddos with me. This can become very inconvenient for everyone involved, including whoever is actually doing the test or procedure. I think that volunteers could be utilized in this instance and they could set up a playroom of sorts for children to go to for the duration of whatever I am having done, whether is be a blood draw or an x-ray or an MRI. What do you think?

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Why couldn't patients who have no other alternative call ahead so that the center would be able to staff adequately and pay a small hourly fee that could possibly be set off by donations--government grants, etc.

That's a lovely idea. So when are you going to the local hospital to offer your expertise in starting it up, taking time to write for those grants and make the first donation?

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I called the childcare facility at the local medical center. It is not in the hospital (I don't believe) and does not offer expanded hours/after school care, etc. as some supposedly do. It seems to be more for classroom hours/administration or whoever it is in the hospital that works 8-5.

However, they were aware of the problem and had been working with the hospital to try to find a solution. They were very dissapointed that they had been unable to find the space/money/staff to create a drop in center in the hospital. The conversation was pleasant and instructive. There was no judgement or harshness and I felt like she respected me as a fellow human and had empathy for the people who find themselves in predicament of having to take children to the ER. The only thing they can do is to continue with damage control as well as possible in each individual case.

By the way--the ER is the only place people without insurance can be seen without paying for the full amount of the visit up front here. So yes, conditions are neglected and people who wouldn't have needed the ER if they had gotten medical care earlier end up there.

I felt very satisfied with the dialogue (even without a solution) which is probably what CNM2B would have been satisfied with too.

And...I used to do volunteer work with the mother's group at my church and the parish health ministry. Since I became a single/low income mother I have had to cut that out because I do not have anyone to watch my children and I have to work a lot to pay rent, etc. I had to cut out the donations (which I am sad about) because I don't have any money. I often eat the childrens left overs after dinner because I do not always have enough groceries to cook for all of us. I am not sitting around waiting for someone to fix everything for me as some people seem to think.

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kimmy,

i'm glad you took this to the breakroom because the support there will be 100%. i don't give a rat's butt what anyone says....i totally see the snippiness, sarcasm and insensitivity from some. yah you gave solutions but you didn't demonstrate one ounce of empathy. some of you guys are really burnt. :angryfire

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Please - enough of the name calling and accusations. For what it's worth, there are two kinds of posts - those requesting support, and those requesting ideas/suggestions. Even if you ask for one or the other, this is still an open forum where you may risk hearing other things.

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I also note that those of us that agree that few hospitals will go for the idea related to infection control/liability issues have been nurses/worked in hospitals for long periods of time, which might say something.
I respect the fact that some of you have been working in healthcare a long time. I just don't agree that other points of view have no merit because some posters have not worked in healthcare for the same length of time. Just a difference of opinion. /shrug
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I respect the fact that some of you have been working in healthcare a long time. I just don't agree that other points of view have no merit because some posters have not worked in healthcare for the same length of time. Just a difference of opinion. /shrug

I've only been in healthcare 9 years...And I'm 36...I knew before being a nurse, that hospitals, doctor's offices and the like, are no place for healthy kids (especially infants)...Their immune systems aren't yet fully "developed" as ours...

That's not a harsh viewpoint, just my opinion...RSV is a real KILLER in Phoenix, and it's child abuse to expose your kiddo to an environment where RSV could be present (mainly hospitals and clinics)...

I didn't even take my newborn babies to the grocery store before they were 6 months...

sean

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

You all have done a fantastic job with your rebuttals......just fantastic.....I get a kick out of people that take umbrage to the fact that some of society feels that other people's children should be seen and not heard...They believe their kids are special.Guess what-they are not...I will freely admit that my 14 yr old and a few of his friends can be as offensive as second hand smoke...I like how some posters put words into my mouth-I did not tell anyone they should never have had their kids-I said that I believe in all aspects of family planning....Funny how people complain about the cost of childcare-don't you agree that the care of your most precious possession must be provided by the best people you can find-no matter what the cost?

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Originally Posted by ktwlpn

if you can not provide the care children need then don't have a bunch........

Actually, you did. /shrug
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I guess what I would envision, Hogan, is not a place that would be in the midst of crisis, but a place that would be out of the the line of fire so to speak. Whether that be a separate building or just a really nice, *clean*, bright room staffed for example by a CNA or other background-checked personnel. The town I live in also has several institutions that crank out educators and childcare personnel, internship opportunity??

I completely agree that hospitals/clinics are places where sick people go, I'm aware of RSV and TB and so forth and yes, they're nasty! But that doesn't take away the fact that single parents need to be seen for appointments, crisis situations come up, etc. That's where this whole thread originated. In an emergency situation, it seems like it would be more proactive and better (yes even risk management-wise) for a hospital/clinic to offer this as a solution rather than dragging the kiddos through the ER, etc? I mean seriously, do you really want that 4 year old in the room with mom while they're doing an amnio? Or worse yet dealing with an MVA where mom is comatose and kiddos are there? I would disagree on the child abuse part though, simply because for some not bringing the kids just isn't an option in the real world. It's societal pressure like this that causes people to use *really* bad judgement in fear of getting called in to child welfare - they take even worse, crazy risks in locking their kids in the car while 'they just run in for this quick errand' or worse yet, leave them at home unattended.

I would venture to say that since so many people are waiting so much longer to be seen when they are very sick, you run just as much of a chance bringing your child to everyday places like the grocery store (like you mentioned). Daycares are also notorious for having outbreaks of RSV and Varicella. By the time the symptoms surface, everyone else has generally been exposed for days.

Of course everyone's opinions differ, but like I have said before, if so many other institutions already can offer this as a service to parents, it seems that it IS doable, and that it is more 'won't' than 'can't'.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Secondly, our society is one of a capitalist structure, not socialist. So, if I want to have 10 kids, you may disagree, but ultimately it's not your decision, period. Until there is mandated birth control, or we are limited to having one child (hello China) people in this country will continue to have children at will.

Interestingly, most Socialist countries have organized childcare. So I suppose you want Socialism, do you?

And in a Capitalist society, you are expected to make your own fortune and take care of your own. You can have all the children that you want but you take care of them. By the same token, if you want to start such a popular service and solicit donations and take on the risk, there is little to stop you but yourself.

So I suppose that you need to start calling in the morning.

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I was speaking of China in that specific example.

So I suppose that you need to start calling in the morning.
The point is underscored again regarding the sarcasm in this thread.
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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

The point is underscored again regarding the sarcasm in this thread.

There is nothing whatsoever sarcastic about that suggestion. The only way that these things get started is by someone with the interest initiating this.

How else do you expect this service to occur if you (who have the need and the interest) don't do something about it?

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