Your Child's Comfort

Parents, guardians, and/or grandparents are welcome at the Aresty Day Hospital during their child’s procedure or testing. Please feel free to bring your child’s favorite blanket, toy, stuffed animal, doll, or video/DVD. The hospital can be frightening to young children and a familiar object from home can help ease the anxiety.

Many children require intravenous lines (IV) for their procedures. You may ask your doctor or nurse for EMLA cream to be placed on your child’s arm before any needle stick. This is a numbing cream and may help prevent the pain associated with a needle stick. EMLA takes 60 minutes to work effectively, so arriving at least 60 minutes before the scheduled procedure is required. Though EMLA cream is very effective, the needle stick can still produce anxiety and stress. Your support and positive attitude and the support of the nursing staff will help him or her cope with the procedure better.

One parent or guardian may accompany their child to the procedure room and remain with their child until they are asleep. You will then be asked to leave so the procedure can start. During the procedure, you may wait in your child’s room or relax in Au Bon Pain located in the lobby of the Goryeb Children’s Hospital.