Planning for Your Child’s Stay at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital

HealthBridge Children’s Hospital understands that you may have questions about your child’s stay at our hospital. It is our goal to provide complex medical care in a comfortable, homelike environment and we believe that parents and caregivers are an important part of the healthcare team and recovery process for each child. We welcome your questions. Please ask the HealthBridge team of doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals if you have any questions about your child’s treatment or stay at our hospital.

Upon admission to HealthBridge Children’s Hospital, you will receive a patient and family handbook that includes information about the hospital, our patient and guest services, billing information, and patient rights and responsibilities. To help you learn more about your child’s prospective stay at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital, we’ve listed the answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.

1. What are your visiting hours?
   
   Regular visiting hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily, but parents may visit the hospital at any time 24 hours a day. We encourage regular wake and sleep cycles and discourage visits in the middle of the night.

    

2. Can I spend the night with my child?
   
   Yes. One parent can spend the night in the child’s room each night.

    

3. Are parents required to stay with their child?
   
   Parents are not required to spend the night with their child or stay at the hospital during the child’s hospitalization. However, we consider family involvement an important part of the recovery process and encourage family involvement.

    

4. What clothes should I bring for my child?
   
   HealthBridge patients are dressed daily as part of their rehabilitation process. The nurses and therapists will advise you about the types of clothing that will work best for your child based on his or her specific medical needs.

    

5. What provisions does HealthBridge Children’s Hospital have for parents?
   
   The hospital does not have a cafeteria for visitors. However, the hospital provides three meals per day for one parent. Additionally, vending machines, coffee, and a refrigerator for food storage are available 24 hours a day, and a microwave oven and toaster are available for use in the dining room. Patient food is provided by the hospital. Fire and safety regulations prohibit cooking or food storage in patient rooms.

    

6. Where do I park?
   
   The hospital has complimentary self-parking immediately adjacent to the hospital that will accommodate cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles. Larger vehicles, such as motor homes, may block ambulance transport and are not permitted on the hospital parking lot. Please contact the hospital with any questions about parking.

    

7. What are the rooms like?
   
   Each child has a private room with cable television. Each room has a cork board and we encourage you to decorate it with pictures, notes, and other items from home to personalize the room for your child. You are welcome to bring in items that may provide comfort to your child such as a favorite toy, blanket, movie, or music. VCRs and radios are available at the hospital.

    

8. Does the hospital provide internet access?
   
   HealthBridge Children’s Hospital provides access to internet to facilitate your child’s rehabilitation, recreation therapy, or school work. Internet access is not available to parents, but the use of wireless internet cards is permitted at the hospital.

    

9. How long will my child need to be at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital?
   
   The exact length of stay is different for each child and is based upon your child’s individual medical needs. A team of healthcare professionals will meet weekly to discuss your child’s progress towards discharge goals. We consider family members an integral part of the treatment team and encourage participation in the decision making process at these weekly meetings. Once a discharge plan is established, the treatment team works to meet the discharge goals.
    

10. Who will be caring for my child while he or she is a patient at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital?
    
    The medical treatment plan for your child is led by a physician. The physician works closely with the nursing, therapy, and allied health team at HealthBridge to provide care for your child. The hospital is staffed 24 hours a day with registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), respiratory therapists (RTs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These staff members will provide direct care to your child based upon his or her medical needs. In addition, your child may receive physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy (ST) services. Other professionals that will see your child during his or her stay include a recreational therapist, registered dietitian, child life specialist, case manager, and social worker.
     

11. When are the physicians in the hospital? When do parents get to speak with the physician?
    
    Members of HealthBridge’s medical team are in the hospital daily to check on each child. Families are encouraged to talk with their child’s physician if they have any questions. In addition, families are encouraged to attend weekly treatment team meetings that will be held for their child. You may approach any staff member with questions. Staff has an open door policy and is available to assist you.
     

12. Will the physicians modify the treatment plan? How will subspecialty appointments be scheduled?
    
    Treatment plans are based on each child’s individual medical needs and may be modified by the physician if a change in the child’s condition occurs. If the child needs additional care by a subspecialty physician, then the case management department will arrange these appointments.
     

13. What services or activities are available at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital for my child other then the medical services?
    
    HealthBridge Children’s Hospital has a full time recreation staff and a vast array of games and movies available to families. In addition, our volunteers may provide pet therapy, outdoor walks, music activities, and other activities.
     

14. How often will my child be seen by a therapist?
    
    Children are evaluated by physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy departments. The therapy schedule will be determined by each child’s individual medical needs.
     

15. How can my child keep up with his or her school work while at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital?
    
    HealthBridge Children’s Hospital works closely with the Alief School District to provide an onsite teacher. The teacher consults your child’s physician to determine appropriate teaching strategies.
     

16. How will home services will be coordinated? Who will coordinate these services?
    
    A care management team meets with each family to discuss community services and resources that may be available for children after their discharge from the hospital. If home care services are needed for the child, HealthBridge’s case management department will assist in the coordination of these services.
     

17. How is HealthBridge’s parent education provided? Do both parents need to train at the same time?
    
    Family education is an important element of HealthBridge’s care. The hospital provides extensive family training to parents or caregivers that are transitioning a child to a home setting. Our goal is train both parents on the skills that they need to provide ongoing care to their child. We train parents individually to aid each parent in fully developing the skills needed to independently care for the child in the home setting. Each parent must stay with the child at the hospital for twenty-four hours after training.
     

18. Will my insurance be accepted? Will I owe further monies? Does HealthBridge help with insurance paperwork?
    
    HealthBridge Children’s Hospital participates as a provider with most major managed care organizations. A list of participating payors is available in the Refer a Patient section of this website. Depending on the payor source, co-pays or additional payments may be required by the family. The admissions and case management department will work with families in these instances and assist families with paperwork.
     

19. Who can I contact if I have other questions about HealthBridge Children’s Hospital?
    
    Prior to admission, you may contact the admissions department at (281) 293-7774. They are available to answer your questions and schedule a tour. After your child is admitted to HealthBridge, you may approach any staff member with questions. Staff has an open door policy and is available to assist you. Please contact the case management department about insurance questions.