Kidney Transplant Program - Children's Hospital Boston

300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000

Clinical Services (Kidney Transplant Program):

Transplant Unit

What is the Transplant Unit?

The Transplant Unit, or 10 South, is a 24-bed unit, with 10 beds designed for solid organ transplant patients. It is located on the tenth floor of the main south building at Children's Hospital Boston.

Who works in the Transplant Unit?

Several specialists will take of your child. The staff includes:

Nurses who work closely with all members of the team to plan and carry out your child's care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nurses provide nursing care, education and support to patients and families. You may discuss your concerns or questions with any nurse caring for your child.
Clinical assistants will also care for your child under the direction of a nurse.
Your child will be seen by an attending physician, fellow and residents. The attending physician is the most senior doctor on the team that manages your child's care. A fellow is a doctor with advanced training in a specialty. A resident is a doctor with training in pediatrics. They are part of the surgical team and may care for your child. You may discuss your concerns or questions with any member of the physician team.
A social worker helps families with the stress they often feel when a child is in the hospital. The social worker specializes in counseling and knowledge of hospital and community resources. The social worker is an integral part of the transplant team.
The 10 South child life specialist works to organize play and diversional activities for your child. The child life specialist can help your child understand his or her medical experiences through personal interaction or play. On 10 South there is a teen room as well as an general activity room. If your child is unable to leave his or her room, the child life specialist can also find activities for your child to do in his or her room. The child life specialist will help arrange for a tutor through your child's school.
The administrative assistant who is located at the nursing station will answer questions and direct you to services you may need.
The patient care coordinator works with the nursing staff to make sure that all home care needs and supplies are handled before your child's discharge. The patient care coordinator is also involved with insurance matters. She also helps coordinate services such as visiting or block nursing.
The clinical coordinator is responsible for day-to-day management of 10 South. She is available to talk with families as needed.
The nurse director is responsible for the overall management of 10 South and leadership of the unit and the interdisciplinary staff.

What will my child's room look like?

Patient rooms have one patient bed or crib. There is a shower and bathroom in each room, and a curtain around each bed may be closed for privacy.

Each room is equipped with a refrigerator and a safe.

Each bed space has a television and VCR player.

Can I stay overnight with my child?

Yes. Each bedside space has a alcove where one adult family member can sleep at night. Nurses will show you where sheets, pillowcases and towels can be found.

You can shower and use the bathroom in your child's room.

Children, including siblings are not allowed to stay overnight.

Information about hotel accommodations in the area is available from the social worker on your unit, at the Information desk in the Main Lobby, or in the Center for Families, Farley 111.

How can I contact the Transplant Unit when I'm away?

When you are not at the hospital, you may call 617-355-8017 to speak with your child's nurse. For your child's protection, information is only given to parents or legal guardians.

Please let your child's nurse know when you will be gone and how you can be reached.

When are visiting hours?

Visiting hours are from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Parents and grandparents can visit any time. Other family members and patients' friends can visit during visiting hours though the number of visitors by the bedside may be restricted.

All visitors under 12 years of age must stop at the Information desk in the Main Lobby. They will get a dinosaur sticker after being assessed for catchy (communicable) diseases then allowed to come up to the unit. All children must come with an adult at all times.

Parents and guardians will need to obtain an identification (I.D.) badge from the Admitting Office or Parking and Transportation Office (1st floor Children's Hospital Garage). Parents/guardians must wear I.D. at all times while on hospital grounds.

Are there special precautions we must take when visiting?

To prevent the spread of germs and catchy (communicable) diseases, such as colds, we ask that you do not touch any child but your own. Parents need to use hand sanitizer (Purell) when entering and leaving your child's room. This helps to protect your child.

Some children in the hospital need special protection from germs. Some children have germs that others can catch. In these cases, staff and visitors may have to wear gowns and gloves, and sometimes masks. This is called "precautions." Your child's nurse will explain precautions to you.

How do I make or receive personal phone calls?

Each bed space has a telephone. The direct-dial number may be shared with friends and family; parents and patients should request that friends and family members not call the room after 10 p.m. There is no charge for incoming calls.

Outgoing calls can be made through the hospital operator or by dialing:

Within local area codes
9 + 1 + area code + telephone number

Outside of local area codes (using a calling card or calling collect)
9 + 0 + area code + telephone number

There is no charge for calls to the 617, 508 and 781 area codes. Calls made outside these area codes must be made collect or charged to a telephone calling card or a third party.

Are flowers allowed on 10 South?

Due to the needs of transplant patients, flowers or plants are not allowed on the unit.

Where can I store my belongings?

You may store personal items in the bedside cabinet or closet in your child's room. There are locked safes in the rooms where you can store some belongings.

Can we order meals through room service?

Yes. A Room Service menu is located at your child's bedside.

You may also use the nutrition center/kitchen on 10 South, which is stocked with drinks and snacks for patients. A microwave and ice machine are available for use.

Food from home, labeled with your name and a date may be stored in the "patient/parent" refrigerator. Anything unlabeled will be thrown away.

There is also a cafeteria located on the first floor of the Farley building. The hours are:

Monday through Friday
6:30 to 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays
6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There are several restaurants in the area as well. Au Bon Pain is located in the hospital lobby and a food court is located in the Galleria, next to the hospital.



	The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.

	Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.