Thank you for thinking of the children and families at St. Louis Children's Hospital. We have prepared guidelines for you so that you will have a successful visit.Please read the following guidelines carefully.If you have additional questions, please call Child Life Services at 314.454.6178.
Planning the Visit
- Child Life Services must be notified of each visit to determine if the visit is an appropriate match for children and families.Child life staff members will participate in the coordination of the event representing the child and family perspective.
Children and Families in the Hospital
- Children who are patients in the hospital are ill and under stress. Their reactions to visitors are at times different from those of children who are feeling well.Children who are not feeling well do not always demonstrate expressions of appreciation. On occasion a patient does not feel well enough even to smile in response to a visitor or receipt of a gift.Parents and other family members are often with their child and also may be feeling stressed by the experience of hospitalization. In contrast, you may meet children who are feeling friendly and are eager to visit.
Interacting with Patients
- The hospital can be a stressful place for children.The environment and people in the environment may be unfamiliar. Here are some ideas to help make your visit with children a success.A hospital representative will be with you throughout the visit and may answer general questions. However, please be respectful of a patient’s privacy.
- Approach children slowly and bend down to their level, allowing them to decide the extent to which they wish to interact with you.
- Greet children in the hospital as you would other children.Let the child know why you are here and respond to the child's interests or questions.If the child shows resistance to greeting you, just move away slowly.Try speaking to the child in a soft voice at a distance.Avoid questions regarding the reason for hospitalization or the length of the hospitalization.
- Well intended comments like, "get well soon", "hope you go home soon" or "see you soon" may be confusing for children who may be here for a long period of time or whose condition may not be expected to improve.
- If the child does not have hair or if you cannot tell if the child is a boy or girl, ask the hospital representative before assuming the child's gender or ask the child, "what is your name?"
- Humor must be “child friendly” and developmentally appropriate.
Restrictions
All Special Guests must abide by the following restrictions and program content or they will not be permitted to visit children at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.If a special guest does not abide by these restrictions and guidelines for program content during a visit they will be asked to leave the hospital.If a Special Guest is asked to leave the hospital they will not be allowed to visit the hospital again as a “special guest”.
The following things are NOT PERMITTED:
- NO latex balloons
- NO candles
- NO fireworks
- NO real or pretend guns, knifes or other potentially harmful materials.
- NO Cellular phones as they may interfere with the function of important medical equipment used with the children and therefore are not allowed in the hospital.
- NO Food, candy or beverages may be distributed to any patient.
Program Content
- The stress of hospitalization may increase fears for some children. Here are a few things to remember as you prepare for your visit:
- Activities and visits must not include themes that may be perceived as threatening such as death, separation, abandonment, mutilation, or illness.
- Humorous comments about hospital personnel, medical conditions or treatments should be avoided, as they may be misunderstood.
- Young children may be frightened by groups of people, by a costume, and often by clowns.
- Costumes must not be frightening or emotionally provocative (example: Captain Hook, wicked witch, etc.) Visits that involve costumes that have head pieces or face pieces (Santa Claus, Barney, etc.) will be determined on a case by case basis.
- Patients and their families represent a variety of religious, political and social backgrounds. The content of activities and presentations must be religiously and politically neutral.
Group Visits
- Special visitors must be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by your group’s supervisor. The group should be limited to event participants only; please no children or family members.
- If you are interested in bringing a craft activity for the patients in our Playroom/Teen Lounge, up to 5 visitors may be in a group. A description of your craft activity and the supplies you will be bringing must be approved before your visit.
- If a musical performance or theatrical show is given in the Playroom, up to 20 visitors may be in the group. All performances must be religiously and politically neutral in nature and also must be approved by the Child Life Services Department prior to your visit.
- Hospitalized children may have limited attention spans and energy levels. Your performance will be best received if it is no longer than 30 minutes in length. There is no way to estimate how many children may be in the hospital at any given time, or what ages may be available for your activity or performance.
Media, Photographs, and Filming
- Photographs, filming or recording of patients is not allowed due to patient confidentiality.
Gifts Brought for Donation
- Toys or favors for children are welcome but must be pre-approved by child life services. Donations will be accepted by a member of the Child Life staff to be distributed at a later date. Please remember, all donated items must be new due to Infection Control guidelines
- Child Life Game Show Wish List
- Movie Wish List
We appreciate your interest in bringing smiles to the patients of St. Louis Children’s Hospital!
If would like more information, please contact:
Child Life Services
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 8W-24
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
314.454.6178
314.454.4560 (Fax)