Staying at CHEO

Staff Physician: Oversees your child's care and works with the healthcare team to make decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning.

Nurse Practitioner (NP): An advanced practice nurse who can assess, diagnose, order tests, prescribe medications, and manage your child's care in collaboration with the healthcare team.

Nurse: Provides day-to-day care, coordinates care activities, and helps you understand your child's treatment plan.

Physician Assistant (PA): A healthcare professional who works closely with physicians and the care team to assess patients, develop care plans, order tests, and support treatment and discharge planning.

Resident: A doctor in training who works closely with other health-care team members to care for your child.

During your child's hospital stay, members of the healthcare team regularly review your child's progress, discuss treatment plans, identify goals, and plan for discharge.

Rounds are an important opportunity for caregivers, children, and youth to participate in conversations about care actively. Together, we review how things are going, answer questions, discuss next steps, and make sure everyone understands the plan.

Rounds may take place at the bedside, outside the room, or virtually. Because CHEO is a teaching hospital, learners may also participate as part of their education.

We encourage children, youth, and caregivers to:

• write down questions before rounds 
• share observations and updates about how things are going 
• participate in discussions and decision-making 
• ask questions if something is unclear 
• discuss discharge goals and any supports that may be needed at home 
• request a follow-up conversation if more time is needed.

Spiritual care: support and promote spiritual well-being for patients & families. They are trained to support a variety of faiths and spiritualities, and can help connect you to spiritual communities and facilitate rituals and practices while in hospital. You can reach them at spiritualcare@cheo.on.ca or extension 6224.

Child Life: Help children, youth, and families cope with the stress, uncertainty, and emotional challenges associated with illness and hospitalization.

Social Work: Provides support with emotional, practical, financial, and family concerns that may arise during a hospital stay.

Community Discharge Team: Supports patients and families whose discharge planning involves coordination with community partners, services, or supports after leaving the hospital.

CHEO is committed to providing culturally safe care for Indigenous children, youth, and families.

If you have travelled to CHEO for care, please let us know how we can support you. Assistance may include:

• personal items such as clothing, toiletries, or toys
• access to communication resources to connect with home 
• support from an Elder, cultural navigator, or cultural supports
• access to quiet spaces for reflection, ceremony, or prayer 
• assistance arranging short breaks for caregivers 
• information about accommodations and community resources

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.

Caregivers are important members of the care team, and we encourage you to be present and involved as much as possible.

Being present allows caregivers to participate in discussions, share important information, support care activities, and prepare for discharge.  

Young children and infants require supervision for their safety. If you need to leave the hospital or be away from your child's bedside for an extended period, please speak with your child's care team. Families are encouraged to identify an alternate caregiver when possible. We recognize that caregivers need time to eat, rest, shower, and attend to personal needs, and support may be available to help facilitate these short breaks.

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

PPE (Personal protective equipment): You may be asked to wear a mask or other PPE while at CHEO. Please follow your child's care team's instructions to help protect patients, families, and staff.

Hand Hygiene: Cleaning your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently and encourage your child to do the same.

Sleeping safely

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

Children and youth should wear their identification bracelet (MRN number) at all times so we can provide safe and accurate care.

Do not give medications brought from home without first speaking with your nurse, pharmacist, or physician. This helps ensure medications are given safely.

Amenities

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