In the Hospital

For youth that are staying in the hospital...

Some of the important questions you might have:

Can my friends and family visit me in the hospital?
Can I use the phone to call my friends and family?
When am I supposed to go to sleep?
What and when can I eat?
What about my personal space?
What about schoolwork?
Can I leave the Unit?
Are there any rules?
What can I do when I have free time?
Can I use my laptop in the hospital?
What are my rights about consent and privacy?

Can my friends and family visit me in the hospital?

At BC Children's Hospital we have have flexible visiting hours for friends and family. The goal is to get you well enough to return home but we know having your friends and family around help with healing. When having visitors it is important to remember to be respectful to your neighbours, especially roommates. Big groups and loud voices can interfere with others trying to rest. If you know you are having many visitors come you can talk to the Child Life department about arranging a time in the teen lounge for just your family. Quite time is after 10pm, you can choice one parent or caregiver to stay over night with you, if you want.

Can I use the phone to call my friends and family?

The phone number for the hospital is (604) 875-2345 or toll free 1-888-300-3088 and each room has a phone. Ask the unit clerk for the phone local for your room so people can call your room directly. If your friends call to the unit we may not acknowledge you are in hospital to protect your identity, so it is best if you give your friend your room local. You can make an outside call from your room by dialing 9 then the phone number. To make a long distance call, you must dial '0' for the hospital operator and they will assist in placing the call. Please respect the other patients on the unit by not talking on the phone after 11:00 p.m.

As well, you can use your cell phone in hospital. However, there are a few place in the hospital that have sensitive equipment that you must not have a cell phone around. If someone asks you to turn off your phone, silencing the phone does NOT cut it! Just remember to be respectful of talking loudly or late at night and try to keep the phone talking to your room so not to disturb others. Text messaging is a good option.

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When am I supposed to go to sleep?

Getting enough rest is a priority at the hospital. Even though you might be up until the wee hours of the morning at home, you are here to take care of your health.

You need to be in your own room by 10:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights you need to be in your room by 11:00 pm. Remember, you are here for treatments which can start early in the morning, so it’s a good idea to get to sleep as early as possible.

What and when can I eat?

The really good news - meals come to you.

Meals arrive at about: breakfast at 8:00 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., and dinner at 5 p.m. and there are snacks in the unit nutrition station.

You get to choose your meal from a menu. If what you want to eat food that is not on the menu, you can request a special meal plan that is customized to your choices and of course the doctors orders. As well, family or friends can bring in food as long as it is part of your physician’s recommended diet. Make sure you label any food items in the fridge.

Check out Spaces and Places for where the coffee shops and the cafeteria are in the hospital.

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What about my personal space?

Your room, bed and cupboard areas are your personal space in the hospital. You might want to bring your own clothes, pajamas, or some personal belongings to make your space your own and help you feel more comfortable. You have the right to ask people to knock before they enter your room.

You might also want to bring ipods, MP3 players, laptop, DVD player and games with headphones, or books and magazines. However, be aware that you are responsible for your personal belonging. DO NOT bring large amounts of money, jewelry, or other expensive items that might be lost or stolen.

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Do I have to do schoolwork?

Teachers will help you keep up with your schoolwork while you are in the hospital. You are expected to do school work (as able) on regular school days from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You can work in your room or in the youth school area.

In the afternoon the teachers can come to your room if you need tutoring or where unable to make it to the school room in the morning.

Can I leave the Unit?

You must first check with your nurse and sign out from the nursing station before you leave your unit.

It is important that a nurse knows where you are at all times. When you sign out, say where you are going and when you will return. Do not go anywhere else unless you notify your nurse.

If you are wanting to leave the hospital you need to speak to your doctor and get permission. If you get a pass you must check in with your nurse before leaving to arrange when you will need to be back and review the nessary precautions.

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Are there any rules?

Smoking, taking street drugs and drinking alcohol are NOT permitted anywhere in the hospital or grounds.
You must give all personal medications to the nursing staff when you are admitted to the unit. Please do not take any medication from your own supply without talking to your nurse first or you may be given too much of a dose. We will have your family take your medications home with them as soon as they are able.
Wheelchairs, IV poles and other hospital equipment are only for use by patients who need them.
You will be treated with respect. In turn, you need to respect the privacy of others when they want to be alone, as well as their property and space.
You must keep music and television volume levels at an acceptable level.
Certain TV shows are not acceptable for the hospital. Please respect the nurse’s decision to turn them off.
Movies brought to the hospital must be rated. Movies over a PG rating must be watched in your room not on the unit video system.

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What can I do when I have free time?

There are activities going on in the teen lounge most evenings. The teen lounge is also a place where you can meet other teens who are in hospital like you or get on the internet and chat with friends.

Ask about Upopolis, an intranet site that links you with other teens that are in hospital here as well as in Ontario.  This site is interactive and allows you to connect with friends, family and teachers back home.  Ask your Child Life Specialist about setting you up with one of their laptops.

You can always get videos and video games for your room by contacting the Child Life specialist or most nursing stations. Ask if a PSx, xbox360, wii, or laptop with games is available! Don't be afraid to ask!

You can also ask about:

o Pay phones	o Bank machine	o Teen Lounge
o Ice machine	o Cafeteria/restaurant	o Family Resource Library
o Gift shop	o Washrooms	o E-mail access
o Vending machines	o Laundry room	o Upoplis
o Videos for loan	o Patio

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Can I use my laptop in the hospital?

Yes! BC Children's Hospital has wireless internet that you can access as well.
Don't have a laptop? Ask your Child Life Specialist to lend you one!

What are my rights about consent and privacy?

Here are some points specific to staying in the hospital, but please go to our Youth Rights page for full details.

Giving Consent

While you are in the hospital, staff will ask for your consent to do a number of things. They need your consent whenever they need to touch you or do anything to or with you. They ask for consent in this way, "Is it all right with you if I...?" After they ask for your consent you have the right to ask them questions until you feel comfortable saying yes. Some of your questions might be "Why will you be doing that? / How will you do it? / Will it hurt? / How long will it take?" If you do not feel comfortable with any of the explanations, you can refuse consent until your questions and concerns have been answered. Sometimes you will need to consent in writing to a surgery or treatment. The hospital staff are here to support you and your family make those more difficult decisions.

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Privacy
Being in the hospital is a private matter. Your health condition and treatments are also private. No staff person should give any information about you to anyone who might call the hospital or visit without your permission. You also must respect the privacy of other patients and not share what you might have heard on the unit.

While you are in the hospital, your bed and cupboard is your private space. It is also important to respect other patients' private space.

Getting Information

You have the right to information about yourself. We encourage you to ask questions and get involved in your health care. You can ask your charge nurse if you can read your medical chart. Your parents can also ask to see your chart, but they need YOUR permission first.

When you are in hospital - many doctors, nurses and other team members will visit you. You might feel that they are asking you a million questions. But what about YOUR questions? It is great to have questions. Everyone wants and needs to know about themselves. If anyone is to be an expert on your body or health, it should be YOU!

Here are some ideas about how you can get your questions answered:

Plan ahead - think about what you want to ask and write the questions down. Ask your nurse for a clipboard, a pencil and paper, or write it on the whiteboard in your room.
Write the answers down.
Make sure you understand the answer -ask them to explain if you have any questions. If you don’t understand, keep asking until you do.
Ask an adult to help you to ask your questions.

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Last Updated: April 2010

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