Day of your appointment

You can help the day of your appointment go smoothly by planning ahead and arriving on time.

In an effort to provide safety and privacy for all our families and to maintain a peaceful, healing environment, we ask that you try not to bring children who are not patients with you to your appointment.

Remember to bring your health insurance information—policy identification card and, if required by your insurance company, referral forms and claim forms.

Packing your child's bags: If your child will be going home on the day of the procedure, bring items that will comfort them during the day such as a favorite toy or blanket, or special nipples or pacifiers. You may also want to have a small bag with extra clothing, underwear and diapers.

If your child will need to stay overnight in the hospital we recommend you pack the following items:

• A robe/slippers
• Underwear/diapers
• A favorite toy/blanket
• Special nipples, cups, bottles, pacifiers
• Extra clothing

Arrive on time

You will need to arrive at Children's Memorial at the time the pre-screening nurse told you in order to minimize extensive waiting. Please plan ahead, consider weather, traffic and parking. If you are late, your child's procedure may be delayed. If you are unable to keep your child's appointment, call:

• Lincoln Park: 773.880.4384; anytime day or night
• Glenview: 847.657.1804; (call only on the day of surgery; for questions before the day of surgery, please contact the physician performing the surgery/procedure)
• Westchester — 708.836.4853

Park your car

• Lincoln Park: You may park or valet park in the garage across the street from the hospital ($4.00 per car, with validation). You may also valet park by driving into the hospital's main driveway ($5.00 per car).
• Glenview and Westchester: You may park in the adjacent parking lots at Glenbrook Hospital or Westchester, which are free of charge.

Check in

Check in at the facility's main desk. Staff will direct you to the appropriate location for your procedure. Upon arriving at that location, you and your child will be greeted and your child will be registered. A nurse will then review your child's information and take his/her vital signs.

Prepare for the procedure

• Have your child use the bathroom.
• Your child will be asked to put on "hospital pajamas" and to wear an ID bracelet.
• A nurse will check your child's temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
• A nurse and a physician/surgeon will review your child's medical history, make sure you understand what is happening and obtain your permission to do the surgery/procedure. They will also answer any of your last minute questions.
• Most children will receive general anesthesia. This means they will sleep during their procedure.
• Before the surgery you will meet a specially trained pediatric anesthesiologist, who will discuss with you the plan of care and decide how your child will go to sleep. Your child may breathe in sleep medicine through a cherry, strawberry, orange or bubble gum flavored mask, receive an injection (a "shot") or both.
• You may stay with your child until he/she goes into the operating room.
• During the surgery, your child may receive intravenous fluids (an IV) directly into his/her veins. The IV will most often be placed and started in the operating room after your child is asleep. The IV fluids not only provide hydration, but also allow medication for pain or nausea to be given more easily if your child needs them.

While you're waiting

During your child's procedure, you may wait in the waiting room. Your child's doctor or nurse will look for you in the surgery waiting room to discuss your child's procedure once it is complete. If you are going to leave the area, please tell a staff member, in case the doctor or nurse needs to speak with you.

Note: At Children's Memorial Hospital (Lincoln Park), to respect other children waiting for surgery who have not eaten for many hours, please do not eat or drink in the surgery waiting room. A cafeteria and a McDonald's are located in the basement. A coffee shop is located in the first floor lobby. Vending machines are available at Westchester. Glenview has vending machines and a cafeteria inthe basement for your convenience.