Inpatient admissions

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Welcome to CHEO, a hospital for children and youth up to 18 years of age. Like all of Ottawa, CHEO is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishnabek territory. CHEO serves children, youth and families in Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario. If you are Indigenous and new to CHEO, please see additional information in the Resources available to families section below.

Welcome to CHEO, a hospital for children and youth up to 18 years of age. Like all of Ottawa, CHEO is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishnabek territory. CHEO serves children, youth and families in Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario. If you are Indigenous and new to CHEO, please see additional information on page 2 of this handout.

CHEO strives to provide culturally safe and equitable care that honours the dignity, and diversity of all patients, families, staff and medical staff.

We believe that the best care happens when there is a partnership between parents, children and youth, staff and medical staff. As a partner in your child’s care, we encourage you to be an active participant in your child’s care by asking questions and taking part in decisions.

Please let your care team know about any concerns you have, as well as what is working well. If you need someone to translate or interpret in your own language, please let your care team know. Interpretation services are available 24/7 to provide you with care in your preferred language.

Who is part of the care team for my child or youth?

	Staff physician: oversees and manages all major decisions about the overall care of your child.
	Nurse: provides moment-to-moment management of your child’s care and will spend more time than any other team member at your child’s bedside.
	Resident: a doctor in training who works closely with other health-care team members to care for your child.
	Medical student: a student enrolled in medical school training to become a doctor.

Depending on your care needs you may meet additional medical and support staff during your time at CHEO, including occupational therapists, physical therapists and more.

Patient- and family-centred rounds

Every morning between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. doctors, nurses and other staff on the care team meet to talk about the health and wellness of your child or youth. They talk about your child’s condition, treatment plan for the next day or so, and the discharge plans. They take place either just outside your child’s room or virtually and take about ten minutes. Rounds are a great way to share information and make sure everyone understands the plan of care. Rounds are also an effective way for students to learn, so there is some teaching that happens during rounds too.

Children, youth and families are welcome to:

• write down questions and notes before and during rounds
• listen and add to the medical information discussed
• ask questions and share any concerns
• ask for a medical team member to come back later if there is not enough time during rounds to answer your questions

Resources available to families

Spiritual care: support and promote spiritual well-being for patients & families. They are trained to support a variety of faiths and spiritualities, and can assist with connecting you to spiritual communities and facilitating rituals and practices while in hospital. They can be reached at spiritualcare@cheo.on.ca or extension 6224.

Child Life: help children, parents and caregivers cope with the stress and uncertainty associated with hospitalization.

Social work: meet with families to help with adjustments to the variety of changes and challenges that may arise with being in hospital.

If you would like to access any of these family resources, please ask your child or youth's nurse.

Information and resource to support Indigenous children, youth and families

Our teams see and care for many Indigenous children, youth and families needing medical care. If you need to travel to CHEO for care, rest assured that we are here to make your journey and care more comfortable and culturally safe. Please let us know how we can help, including:

• personal items (clothes, toiletries, toys etc.)
• resources to call home
• support to connect with an Elder or cultural navigator
• a quiet room for reflection
• someone to sit with your child while you take a break
• a place to stay when not at the hospital (accommodations)

If you would like to access any of these family resources, please contact Patient Experience during business hours at experience@cheo.on.ca, or by calling 613-737-7600 x 3078.

Learn more about organizations in Ottawa that can support Indigenous families during their stay.

Scan this QR code to learn more about organizations in Ottawa that can support Indigenous families during their stay.

Do I need to stay with my child or youth all the time?

It’s important for caregivers to stay close to children and youth during a hospital stay. All children and youth staying at CHEO need extra love and support. Younger children and babies need to be supervised at all times for their safety. If you are required to leave your child’s bedside, please let your care team know in advance so we can find someone to stay with your child while you take a break.

Being close by also allows you to answer any questions that come up, and to bring important information to the decision-making process.

CHEO's caregiver presence policy

For CHEO's most up-to-date caregiver presence information, visit our "Preparing for your stay or visit" page.

For CHEO's most up-to-date caregiver presence information, scan this code or visit cheo.on.ca and read our "Preparing for your stay or visit" page. 

Safety first

PPE (Personal protective equipment)

You may be asked to wear a mask or PPE while you are with your child at CHEO. Please listen to your care team's instructions on when and how to properly wear masks, gowns etc.

Hand hygiene

Washing our hands is one of the best defenses against germs! Wash or sanitize yours and your child's hands as often as possible.

Sleeping safely

• Crib side rails need to be raised.
• CHEO does not support co-sleeping arrangements.
• Your child should not be sleeping in the bed chairs.

Patient bracelets

Children and youth are to wear their bracelets at all times to make sure we always give the right care to the right patient.

Medication administration

Do not administer home medication to your child without speaking with your nurse or physician team first. We need to make sure it is safe to give.

Tips to make your stay at CHEO more comfortable

What to bring

• comfy clothes and slippers
• a pillow and comfort items
•  games, electronics and books
• non-perishable food

Amenities

• family room and kitchen
• parent showers and laundry (please speak with the unit clerk)
• room services available through the Oasis Café or main cafeteria

 For a full list of services and more tips on coming to CHEO, read our Visiting CHEO page. 

 For a full list of services and more tips on coming to CHEO, scan this code or read our Visiting CHEO page on cheo.on.ca.