Pediatrics: A Family-Centered Environment

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) Department of Pediatrics provides expert care in a child friendly environment. We strive to decrease any psychological or physical distress experienced by children and their families during the hospital process. To help reduce your child's anxiety, we encourage family involvement throughout the stay.

As a leader in the Parent in the Operating Room Program, we encourage one parent to accompany the child to the Operating Room during anesthesia induction. After surgery, when your child is stable, the Recovery Room nurse will call for one parent to go into the recovery area. One parent is welcome to "room-in" overnight to provide emotional support. There is also a parents' lounge, rest room and shower located on the Pediatric Unit.

Patients in Pediatrics may receive balloons as gifts or decorations; however, our Balloon Policy states that only mylar (foil) balloons are acceptable because these do not represent hazards to young children.

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary cafeteria offers room service to its patients. A visitor tray may be ordered to the room for a small fee. The cafeteria is located on the 7th floor. There are also outside delivery menus available at the nurse's desk.

The MEEI is a smoke-free facility; therefore, smoking is allowed only outside the building.

Note: As part of a nation wide initiative our unit now has locked access doors for added security. You will need to press a button next to the door and identify yourself via the speakerphone, to request to enter the Pediatric Unit.

MEEI Offers the Pediatric Patient

• A nursing staff specially trained to meet the needs of the pediatric patient


• A Child Life Specialist to work with children and their families to help them cope with the new experiences and feelings that accompany hospitalization


• A pre-admission tour program for children, adolescents, and their families.


• A pediatric social worker specializing in family, parenting and child development to s upport pediatric patients and their families. The pediatric social worker also provides information about community services available to families dealing with medical illnesses and related stress


• Supervised therapeutic play and activities on the Pediatric Unit. A playroom is available ith toys that can be used there or at the bedside. (A children's bathroom is located inside the playroom doors.)


• A family-centered approach to medical care. However, with the health of our pediatric patients in mind, we ask you not to bring siblings to the hospital if they have any signs or symptoms of colds or the flu.

MEEI's Child Life Program

As part of the Nursing Department, the Child Life Specialist provides a multidisciplinary approach to the child’s health care. The Child Life Specialist works closely with the nursing staff and draws upon a wide range of experience and research especially adapted to the health care setting, including child development, education and developmental psychology.

The goal is to help ease the emotional impact of illness and hospitalization on children and their families. We encourage our patients to express their feelings and to participate in their care to help offset the abnormal experience of hospitalization.

See also Preparing for Your Child's Surgery.

Contacts

If you have any questions, concerns or needs during your child's stay at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, please feel free to speak with the nursing staff. For more information:

Eileen Lowell, R.N., Nurse Manager of Pediatrics

Tel: 617-573-3469

content updated: 2/07/08