Nutrition Center

Hospital Visit FAQ

How Should You Prepare Before Coming To The Hospital?

As a parent, the best way to prepare for your child's visit to the Nutrition Center is to:

• Bring a growth chart or recent growth measurements.

• Bring food records, if requested by your child's physician. The requested food records are 72 hour food recalls of your child's food intake.

• Bring a list of medications that your child takes.

• Call a week or two ahead to let staff know of special formula, foods and/or feedings that your child needs before he or she is admitted to the hospital.

• If you do not call ahead and your child requires special feedings or food or special formula, please make sure to bring more than enough for any type of visit. In the event of a late admit or if your child's visit gets extended, we prefer you to be prepared, as we may not have the necessary special nutrition readily available.

• Expect the possibility of tests and/or procedures to be done at your child's visit, although primarily the nutritionist talks about what your child eats.

• Plan at least 30 to 60 minutes time before your child's appointment for traffic, parking and clinic check in.

• Expect a co-pay for the Registered Dietitian (nutritionist) at the time of your child's clinic check in.

• Unless specifically instructed to fast prior to visit, your child does not have to fast.

How long will you need to be at the hospital?

If your child is an in-patient, staying overnight in the hospital, the amount of time he or she will need to be in the hospital depends on the medical condition being treated. If your child is at the hospital for ambulatory (outpatient) care and will only be there for a day-time appointment, then you and your child should plan to be here for one to two hours.

What can you expect after a visit with a Registered Dietician (RD)?

As a parent, you should expect follow-up recommendations dependent on the diagnosis and outcome of the visit. If needed, the doctor will order special dietary/formula changes.

What can you do if you have questions after the visit?

Please feel free to contact the Nutrition Center staff with any questions at 617-355-6177.

Questions that involve re-evaluation, new education or significant time lapse since your child's initial appointment will require a scheduled follow-up clinic visit.