Preparing for Your Family’s Visit
Staying in the hospital is a big event for you and your child. Still, it’s not uncommon for children to feel anxious or frightened. That’s why it’s good to communicate with your child about what they should expect before arriving. In addition, it’s important to know what you can bring to make your child’s experience more comfortable, like:
- A special blanket, pillow or stuffed animal
- Pajamas, slippers or socks
- Favorite snacks or drinks
- Movies and books
- A list of family members’ phone numbers
- Pictures of pets or friends
- Schoolwork (as needed)
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children also offers on-site resources for your convenience. Our Customer Service specialists are available Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 10:30 pm at (321) 843-0555. They can assist you with non-clinical needs, such as getting shampoo, deodorant, lotion, laundry soap, toiletries and more.
The Spiritual Care Department is available to all families 24 hours a day to offer prayers, scripture readings, rituals or simply a listening ear. They can also assist you in contacting your own clergy if necessary. Ask a nurse to page a Spiritual Care team member or call directly at (321) 843-3222. (Note: The chapel is always open and located on the 1st floor directly off the atrium.)
International Patients and Families
To meet the needs of different visiting cultures and guests from around the world, we offer a variety of interpreter services including foreign language and American Sign Language interpreters. If needed, please ask your care provider for an interpreter as you arrive. Interpreter services are available free of charge, 24/7. We also offer cultural services including prayer and meditation rooms, access to chaplains, and dietary accommodations.
For more information, please contact our Culture and Language Resources department at (321) 841-2998.
The Children's Bill of Rights
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children supports the concept that each patient is an individual and is respected as a person. Each patient has the right to comprehensive, compassionate, family-centered healthcare that will be provided by an interdisciplinary team and directed by the physician. We utilize an approach that provides sensitive and flexible healthcare while respecting the developmental, psychological, emotional and social needs of patients and their families.
As part of our commitment to the needs of our young patients, the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Bill of Rights is prominently displayed — and followed — throughout our hospital.
While I am in the hospital, I can expect:
- Time to play each day.
- People to knock on my door before coming in my room.
- Doctors and nurses to tell me their names.
- People to understand that sometimes I need to cry when I'm afraid or hurt.
- My parents to help take care of me.
- People to laugh with me.
- Safe, quiet times during each day.
- People to tell me what's going on and why.
- My room and my bed to be safe places.
- People to let me choose what I want when it's O.K.
- My favorite toy from home to be with me and to go along to surgery and different places in the hospital.
- A hug when I need one.
