Admission Information
The physician and nurses are the primary source of facts concerning the purpose of therapeutic plan and expected outcome of hospitalization. The information should include a description of physiologic and/or psychologic aspects of treatment which will be carried out as well as estimated length of stay in the hospital. Some hospitals provide a booklet which describes the routines of their pediatric unit. The nurse should assume an active role in helping parents prepare their children for hospitalization. Printed material, movies, slides, and a variety of playthings can be used to help prepare the child for hospitalization. The nurse may also instruct the parents simple play techniques which they can use to help them to help their child understand what will happen in the hospital.