Cardiac Inpatient Unit

We understand that a hospital stay can be difficult and overwhelming. We hope these amenities will make your stay more comfortable and enable you to focus on the health of your child.
 

Treatment room

We’ve set uptreatment rooms that are designated for blood drawing and other procedures. This allows your child’s room to remain a “safe place” where she can relax.
 

Televisions

There are TVsand VCRs in every patient room that can be tuned to both television and radio stations. The television system carries local stations and some satellite stations 24 hours a day. Movies are shown from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
 

• "Children's Midday" is offered each Tuesday at 2 p.m. on Channel 22. This live, interactive show, produced in the Patient Entertainment Center, welcomes patient participation from viewers on inpatient units as well as those in the entertainment area.

Movies and Nintendo are available upon request to use in patient rooms. We encourage children to bring PlayStation cartridges or movies from home.
 

Internet

Wireless internet access is available in the patient rooms. Computers are not provided, but you and your child can bring a laptop. Computers are also available for you to use in the Center for Families.
 

Meals

Meals can be ordered for patients anytime from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Orders can be placed by calling: F-O-O-D (ext. 5-3663) from the phone in the room, 617-355-FOOD when calling from outside the hospital. Please call 45 minutes prior to mealtime. Meals can be ordered up to 24 hours in advance. Menus are available when your child is admitted to the unit.
 

Snacks

There is food in the Patient Nourishment Center if your child needs a snack. There’s also a parents' refrigerator in each kitchen for your use. Please label your food with your name and the date clearly visible, to prevent food from being thrown out when the refrigerator is cleaned.
 

Playroom and activity room

Both the Playroom and the Activity Room are open during the day for relaxing or taking a break from the hospital routine.

The playroom is designed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children, and offers age-appropriate toys and games.

The activity room is shared by teens, young adults and parents. It has board games, books, video games (including Wii) and computers.

Because the playroom and activity room are places where children can relax and temporarily escape the stress of the hospital, all medical examinations or procedures that may upset your child are prohibited in these areas.
 

Bedside activities

Activities are provided in your child’s room if she can’t go to the playroom.
 

Child Life specialist

The Child Life specialist works Monday through Friday, and usually coordinates one scheduled group activity each day.
 

Tutoring

Tutoring is available for children who will be absent from school for at least two weeks (at home or in the hospital) due to illness. Your child should bring his or her schoolwork to the hospital, if possible. An assigned tutor will contact your child's school and develop a plan to cover any missed lessons. Please talk with your nurse or Child Life specialist for more information.