Preparing for a doctor visit or hospital stay can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you are juggling family schedules, keeping track of your child's medical records, trying to remember what to bring and are unsure where how to get here or where to park.
We know and understand.
To make your visits as effective as possible, please check out the following tips and resources.
Prepare your child at a time you think is most appropriate, either the day before or the day of, and give them a brief description of what to expect.
Take a notebook and jot down any questions you or your child will want to ask.
Put together relevant information about your child's medical history.
Have necessary insurance and financial information prepared. These include health insurance card, patient's social security number, parents' names and co-pay amount, if called for by insurance.
Medical centers are sometimes hard to navigate. Take time to write down or print out directions to our clinic, or call us for details about where to park and how to find our offices.
Our address:
Rocky Mountain Pediatric Hematology Oncology
1601 E. 19th Ave. Suite 6600
Denver, CO. 80218
Parking information: A parking garage is located to the east of the hospital at the intersection of Williams Street and East 17th Avenue. It is connected to the hospital via a second floor pedestrian ramp.
Preparing for a hospital visit or inpatient stay
It can be an anxious time when you are preparing for a hospital stay or inpatient visit. Set aside time days or even weeks in advance, if possible, to prepare medical records and complete pre-registration and insurance approval.
Before coming to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL, you may want to contact the child life specialist at 303-839-7717 to find out about additional resources in and around the hospital to make your stay more comfortable.
What to bring:
A bag ready for your child, including pajamas and comfortable clothing, grooming supplies and a few favorite toys, books or crafts.
A bag for you, including grooming items, a small hairdryer, contact lens supplies, extra clothing, something to sleep in (many parents feel comfortable in athletic clothes because they are both comfy and presentable), and slippers or flip-flops.
A reading light in case your child wants to sleep and you don't.
A memory foam pad for the pullout sleep chair to make it more comfortable. (Linens N' Things sells them for about $30.)
Tips on making your child and family more comfortable:
Learn how to communicate well in the hospital. Become informed and take notes, if necessary, about the treatment and medication your child is to receive.
Be a strong advocate on behalf of your child at all times. Do this by listening closely to medical staff and speaking up if you don't understand something or if you question whether a treatment makes sense or is being given as your physician intended. Know who to ask for or call if things aren't going as you think they should.
Learn your nurse's name, and help them help your child.
Keep the call button on your bed during the night. If your child sleeps through a beeping IV pump, it's easier to call the nurse and maintain a decent sleep.
Be appreciative and help your child do the same, as a child tends to feel better if he or she is encouraged to be polite and appreciative as much as possible.
Ask if you can take your child outside for a little fresh air or for a wheelchair or wagon ride. A change of scenery for a few minutes can be great medicine.
Address:
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL
1719 E. 19th Ave.
Denver, CO. 80218
Parking information: A parking garage is located to the east of the hospital at the intersection of Williams Street and East 17th Avenue. It is connected to the hospital via a second floor pedestrian ramp.
A Member of HealthONE Clinic Services
Jennifer J. Clark, MD and Julie D. Zimbelman, MD