Having a child admitted to the Pediatric Specialty Hospital can feel like just another hurdle to going home, but families are so happy they had the opportunity to be more prepared to care for their child independently. Hear it first hand from a parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pediatric Specialty Hospital serves children up to age 21 with a variety of medical needs. Services include but are not limited to: premature infants (including multiple births); children who need medical therapies they can’t receive at home; children who are preparing for or recovering from surgery or prolonged illness; children receiving specific medical observation; or children who are adjusting to new medical equipment and/or treatments that families must learn prior to discharge. For specific inquiries about your child or patient’s diagnosis, condition, or treatment, contact Admissions at 412–345-7983.
All services, including family overnight stays, are covered by your insurance or provided free by The Children’s Home.
Yes. The same physicians, who were caring for your child at the referring hospital, may oversee your child’s care at the Pediatric Specialty Hospital during daily rounds. We also have two amazing physicians on staff who specialize in the care of the patients we see at The Children’s Home every day. If you are coming under the care of our in-house physicians, they will discuss your care with the referring physician prior to your transfer and throughout your stay. This enables each child’s plan of care to be continued seamlessly from the referring hospital, as you prepare for the next step in your child’s care.
Each patient’s individual complexity is closely considered when evaluating appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios. In most cases, hospital unit is staffed with 1 nurse for every 3-4 patients, allowing the nursing staff time to educate parents with hands-on training while providing high-quality medical care to the child but we will staff lower ratios if needed.
The Pediatric Specialty Hospital offers pediatric hospice and palliative care, allowing families to have the option to spend their most difficult moments in a comfortable atmosphere with support services and staff on site 24/7.
Yes. Families are given the opportunity to stay with their child every night. We offer overnight stays at the bedside in some of our private patient rooms, or families can stay overnight in one of the private bedrooms in the Lemieux Family Center.
The Pediatric Specialty Hospital has no restrictive visiting hours. Parents have access to their child 24/7. Family members may visit at any time, either at the child’s bedside or in the nesting rooms. Siblings are also welcome for visiting and overnight stays.
Free, on-site parking is available at The Children’s Home for all families and visitors.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year of age. Here are some tips on what you can do to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS. At The Children’s Home, we are a Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Certified Hospital.
To create a safe sleep environment:
- Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps, and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet.
- Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
- Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep. Room sharing, not bed-sharing. Always place your baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable crib for sleep.
- Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers, or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
- Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys, and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Wedges and positioners should not be used.
- Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
- Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
- Breastfeed your baby.
- Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night.
- Follow healthcare provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups.
- For additional information and education on safe sleep please visit: https://www.safesleepacademy.org/why-back-to-sleep/.
