Admission procedures in Pediatrics

Admission procedures in pediatrics are designed to ensure a smooth, safe, and child-friendly transition into the hospital environment. They involve both clinical assessments and emotional support for the child and family.

Admission to hospital involves staying at a hospital for at least one right or more.

Types of Admissions

• General inpatient units
• Emergency and urgent care departments
• Pediatric intensive care units
• Outpatient or special procedure units
• Rehabilitation unit or hospital

Preparation of Child for Hospitalization

• Read stories about experience with hospital or surgery. Talk about going to the hospital and what it will be like coming home.
• Be honest and encourage child to ask questions.
• Visit the hospital areas and go through the preadmission tour if time permits.
• Plan support to the child via your presence, telephone calls, and special items brought from home.
• Encourage the child to draw pictures to express how he or she is feeling.
• Include siblings in preparation.

Nurse’s Responsibility in Admission Procedures

• Establish a trusting, caring relationship with the child and family.
• Smile, introduce yourself, and give your title.
• Explain the child and family members what will happen and what is expected of them.
• Ask the family and the child what names they prefer to be called by.
• Maintain eye contact at the appropriate level.
• Communicate with children at age-appropriate levels.
• Involve an orientation to the hospital unit.
• Briefly explain policies and routines and the personnel who involved in the care of the child.
• Obtain information about the child’s history, routines, and reason for admission.
• Obtain baseline vital signs, height, and weight and perform a physical assessment.
• Recognize the needs of the family and child during interview process.
• A small bag can be brought to the hospital that contains child’s clothes (hospital policy); slippers; hobby materials; and personal care items such as comb, brush, and tooth paste.

Procedure in Admission Procedures

• Perform hand hygiene.
• Assemble all the necessary equipment.
• Check the room equipment for proper functioning.
• Prepare bed by adjusting to lowest horizontal position with top sheet and perform complete assessment of the child, which include vital signs, height,weight,physical examination, and growth and developmental assessment.
• Explore the needs and desires of the care givers regarding their comfort and their involvement in the direct care of their child.
• Collect the specimens such as blood and urine as ordered and send it for laboratory analysis. Depending upon the condition of a child an orientation can be given to the unit stressing the areas of importance and greatest relevance (eg:play room, toilet facility and pantry).
• Assist the child in maintaining personal hygiene and changing to hospital dress (hospital policy).
• Administer any medication if ordered.
• Explain the policies and protocols of hospital to the parents.

Child & Family-Centered Considerations

• Use age-appropriate communication and involve the child in care decisions when possible.
• Encourage comfort items from home (e.g., toys, blankets).
• Include siblings in orientation to reduce anxiety.
• Offer emotional support and involve caregivers in care routines.

REFERENCES

1. Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
2. Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
3. Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
4. Marcia London, Ruth Bindler, Principles of Paediatric Nursing: Caring for Children, 8th Edition, 2023, Pearson Publications, ISBN-13: 9780136859840

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