Useful Questions to Ask Your Child's Team

Before Your Child is Admitted to the Hospital

We want to make sure the time you spend with your physician is productive and any concerns you have are addressed. The list of questions below are frequently asked by parents and families before surgery.

• Please describe the operation to me. Where and what size will the incision be? How do you identify the site where the incision will be?
• Why does my child need this operation?
• Will he/she need more surgeries after this one?
• Could you tell me how long my child will be in the operating room?
• Will I be notified how my child is doing during the surgery?
• What are the benefits of having this operation?
• What are the risks of having the operation?
• What if my child doesn’t have this operation? Are there alternatives to surgery?
• Should I get a second opinion? If I do does Shriners Hospital pay for it?
• As a parent, where should I go during the operation?
• Because I sign a blood consent does that mean you are going to give my child blood?
• What kind of anesthesia is used?
• Should I give my child prescribed medication prior to surgery, like seizure medication?
• Can my child continue to take herbal treatments?
• How long will my child be in the recovery room?
• How soon can I see my child after surgery?
• What should I expect after surgery?
• Will there be swelling?
• Will he/she have any monitors, IV’s, oxygen?
• Will he/she be in a cast?
• Will my child go to Intensive Care Unit after surgery?
• How much pain will my child be in?
• How do you manage the pain so my child is as comfortable as possible?
• Can the parents spend the night?
• When will we be able to go home?
• If we have any complications/problems after we go home whom should I call?
• Do I need to arrange for help to take care of my child at home or can I do this myself?
• Will I need to arrange for special equipment for my child when we go home?
• When can my child start regular exercise again and go to school?
• Should we bring his/her walker, wheelchair, braces, etc?

Before your Child is Admitted for Rehabilitation

• Can I stay at the hospital with my child?
• What are the benefits of keeping my child in the hospital for rehab?
• How long will my child be in the hospital?
• Who will be seeing my child while he/she is in the hospital (i.e. occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreation therapy/child life, care coordination etc)?
• How many times throughout the day will my child have therapy?
• Can I be with my child during his/her therapy session?
• Can we leave the hospital at any point for dinner, errands, etc.?
• Are there things to do in the hospital throughout our stay?
• Is there a teacher on staff to help my child with his/her homework?
• Will he/she need any special equipment and if so, will you supply this for us?
• Should we bring his/her walker, wheelchair, braces, etc.?
• Will my child have therapy on the weekends?
• What type of clothing should my child bring?
• Should I bring a swimsuit?