Following are some of the questions parents most often ask us. If you can’t find the answer to your question, please call the St. John Hospital Department of Pediatrics at 313-343-3481 or click here to e-mail us.

Can I bring my child’s personal items like a special toy or clothes?

Personal items are important to your child in the hospital. If you child has a special toy, blanket or keepsake, put his/her name on it and bring it along. If you bring your child’s own clothes, please label them. It is your responsibility to launder your child’s personal clothing. While we are not responsible for lost articles, well do our best to keep track of personal items. Following are the things we supply to your child to use in the hospital:

• T- shirts
• Pillow
• Pajamas
• Comb
• Hospital gowns
• Soap
• Slipper socks
• Shampoo
• Tissues
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush

You may want to bring these things:

• Slippers or shoes
• Photos of Family or Friends
• Hairbrush
• School books and assignments
• Hair pick
• Special Toy or something to sleep with
• Barrettes

What else should parents bring?

• Your identification card for your health insurance plan and any claim forms your insurance company may require.
• Completed physical exam form you received from your doctor.
• Proof of guardianship

It is important for the legal guardian to be present during admission to sign the necessary forms. If a court-appointed guardian will accompany the child on the day of admission be sure to bring a court-issued document proving guardianship. We may not be able to complete the admission if you cannot show proof of guardianship.

How do I find a Pediatrician or Pediatric specialist?

To find a Pediatrician or Pediatric specialist on staff at St. John Hospital and Medical Center click here (link to come) Please remember that if you are expecting a baby, you should have a doctor selected before your baby is born. If you are looking for a specialist that is not listed on this website or need other assistance and would like to speak with someone directly, please click here or call the St. John Physician Finder toll-free at 1-888-440-7325.  A resource specialist can give you information including the physician’s office location, hours, education, areas of specialty, they can even make your first appointment for you.

What insurances are accepted by St. John Hospital doctors?

Insurances accepted vary from physician to physician and are subject to change. Once you find a physician be sure to call St. John Physician Finder toll-free at 1-888-440-7325, or the physician of your choice to be sure that they accept your insurance.

What are important phone numbers for parents to know?

• General Information — 313-343-3438
• Admissions — 313-343-4711
• Le Fontbonne Shoppe (gift shop) — 313-343-3672
• Patient Relations and Consumer Services — 313-343-3349
• Social Services — 313-343-3691
• Spiritual Care — 313-343-7850
• Patient Accounting — 800-208-8070

What about registration when my child is having surgery on the day of admission?

If your child is having surgery on the day of admission, please report directly to the Same-Day Surgery registration area on the 3rd floor of the West Annex.

How long will admission take?

We try to make the admitting procedure as quick and easy as possible, but many things including emergency admissions of other children, may cause delays. You can expect the entire procedure, including lab tests and exams, to take up to one hour, sometimes longer, once you reach Pediatrics.

For locations of our labs, please call 800-863-5959.

Can I stay with my child overnight?

We will try to make arrangements for one parent to stay in the room with his or her child. Sleeping accommodations in patient rooms vary from lounge chairs to cots.

Can I bring in food for my child?

Many procedures require food limitations, please check with your child’s nurse before you bring any food into your child’s room. If you wish to talk to someone about your child’s food needs, please ask your nurse to call a dietitian.

What if my child has been recently been exposed to Chicken Pox, or other contagious diseases?

If your child has recently been exposed to any contagious diseases ( such as chicken pox) or has a fever, bad cold, rash, or fever blisters, please notify your physician or nurse as soon as possible.

What if my child has special needs?

Simply notify us in advance of any special needs, and we will accommodate you. Examples of special needs may include physical, visual or hearing difficulties as well as inability to speak English.

Can someone offer me advice about medical treatments involving ethical principles, religious beliefs or professional guidelines?

The Ethics Committee of St. John Hospital and Medical Center offers help resolving ethical issues and support when families and healthcare providers face difficult decisions about medical treatments that involve ethical issues or religious beliefs. The committee is accessible 24 hours a day, without charge.

An ethics consultation may be requested by patients family or their representative, medical center staff or a community-based caregiver. To request an ethics consultation, call the hospital operator at 313-343-4000 and ask for the Ethics Committee member on call. You may also contact your nurse or physician.

All patients age 18 and older have the right to make their own medical treatment decisions. Patients 18 or older, who do not want certain treatments, have the right to tell the doctor they do not want them. Our admitting department will discuss this with you.

What are the visiting hours and policies?

We welcome and encourage one parent to stay with the child at all times. Another family member or close friend may stay with the child if the parent must leave. Due to space limitation and the needs of other children on the unit, we ask that only two people visit with the patient at one time as follows:

• Parents and grandparents — 24-hour-a-day visitation
• Visitors over 14 years of age — 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Visitors younger than 14 years, including brothers and sisters, please check with your nurse.

Can I make phone calls from my child's room?

To place a local call, dial 9 to get an outside line. There is no charge for local calls. To place a long distance call, dial 9-0-0, then immediately dial the area code and phone number you want. You will be prompted to enter a calling card number. An operator will assist you in charging your call to your home number or credit card.

Click here for more information about dining, gift shop, parking and other St. John Hospital and Medical Center visitor services.

If you can’t find the answer to your question, please call the St. John Hospital Department of Pediatrics at 313-343-3481 or click here to e-mail us.