Children’s ward
The Children’s Ward is a special ward within the Horacio Oduber Hospital where children are admitted. Our ward does everything to make your stay and that of your child as comfortable as possible. Thus, the children will stay as much as possible in a room with children their own age, and you as a parent can visit your child as often as you want. Playing, having your parents, brothers and sisters nearby or having visitors over are things that are quite normal at home, and therefore in our hospital as well. Depending on the age of brothers and sisters we will advise if its proper to bring them to the Hospital. The Hospital finds it very important that children and parents feel safe at our ward. For example, one parent is able to stay overnight with their child and visit whenever they can. Other visitors can come over visit during visiting hours.
We promote parental participation, because it leads to fast recovery and a feeling of safety of the child in a foreign environment. However, if the parents cannot be there for whatever reason, we will gladly accept the task of taking care of, supporting and guiding your child, so that they feel safe and secure.
As a parent, you will be as involved as you are at home. That does not change. Reading a book, helping when getting dressed and washed or eating together. All those daily activities simply continue in our hospital. Whether your child is admitted to our ward for just a day or for a longer period, we will do everything to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for your child and you. We do so by offering child-friendly facilities and by providing the best nursing and medical care. Reporting, both orally and in writing, takes place in Dutch. In addition, our employees speak Papiamento, English and Spanish.
Furthermore, we endeavor to make sure that the experience of your child is as little traumatic as possible. The activities center is an important element, where they can play and just forget for a while that they are in a hospital. The clown doctors visit once a week. By now, they have become an important element of your child’s stay in the hospital.
To make their time in the hospital as enjoyable as possible we try to celebrate all children’s activities such as Carnival, Easter, Children’s Day, Saint Nicholas Day, Christmas and many more, which they have to miss at home because of their hospitalization.
Admission
When being admitted your child will need:
- Comfortable clothing (pajamas)
- Favorite cuddle toy or pillow
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap / shower gel
- Brush
- In case of prolonged hospitalization, school homework
For more information regarding admission click here for our children’s admission booklet.
What to expect?
There are several specialists associated with our ward, because the diseases are diverse. The decoration of the ward is also particularly colorful. It may be that your child stays in a room with several other children, or that he or she has a private room. Where your child will stay, depends on the reason of admission.
The Children’s Ward has a capacity of 28 beds and is divided into 3 units:
1. Semi-private unit
The room unit is where your child sleeps, can be in the form of mixed nursing. We try to admit children between 4 and 13 years in one room, and in the other room children between 3 months and 4 years. Your child will be as much as possible in the room with children his or her own age. Parents, brothers, sisters, family and friends can come and visit here. Preferably do not bring babies or small children for visitation at the Hospital. You can always ask the nurse for advice concerning children as visitors at the Hospital.
It is possible to stay the night, but of course in the parents’ room. Just keep in mind that it is possible that there is not enough space for all parents to stay overnight. A TV is available to all children in each room. Children can be admitted to the room unit for a short or longer period, because the reason for admission is different. It can be either an emergency or scheduled admission.
2. Private/ Isolation unit
Sometimes it is not possible to stay in a room with other children, for instance, because of a risk of infection, much needed rest or age. Therefore, we have a so-called box unit. A unit with 10 single rooms, intended for children and adolescents from zero to 14 years. It may occur that your child has to stay in this room. If so, he or she can usually have visitors. One parent can stay overnight (rooming-in). Of course, we will make sure that age-appropriate toys are available for your child.
3. Incubator unit / baby room
Newborn babies who need extra care are admitted to the incubator unit. It may be that your baby is premature or sick. Of course, you wish to bond instantly with your baby. Therefore, you will take care of your child yourself as soon as possible. A nurse will help you in the beginning, and, if you have any questions we are always there to help.
A baby often is fed seven or eight times per day. In between feeds, most babies sleep until the next feed. Therefore, most parents opt for being with their baby during waking moments, so that the mother can rest as well. During waking moments usually the baby is bathed and fed.
At these times, no other visitors may come, just to make sure that the parents can be there entirely for their baby. Visitors may only visit the baby when the parents are there too. Keep in mind that only parents are allowed into the incubator rooms and newborn rooms. In de incubator room grandparents are allowed to visit twice a week. Please do notify the nurse when they wish to come.
Each child is different, and we adjust our care to this. So, if you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Children & Surgery
When your child is having any kind of procedure or surgery that requires anesthesia, it’s understandable to be a little uneasy.
You probably have plenty of questions about everything — from how the anesthesia is given, to what your child will experience, to where you’re allowed to be.
Click here for information (in Papiamento) about how to prepare your child for anesthesia, the administration of anesthesia and pain control after surgery.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Children’s ward.
Visiting hours
Our visiting hours for the Children’s Ward:
- 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. ’til 8:00 p.m.
Outside the visiting hours, only parents or the adult selected by the parents is allowed to be with the child. We promote parental participation, meaning that both parents may be present throughout the day. It is also possible to stay overnight with the child; however, only one parent can stay with the child after 8p.m. Of course depending on the situation of the child, both parents may stay in some cases.
Visits outside regular hours are only possible in consultation with the nurses. In consultation, a brother or sister may also come to visit, depending on the unit where the child is hospitalized and the situation of the child.
The team
The team of the Children’s Ward specializes in nursing and taking care of children and counseling and supporting parents and/or guardians.
The following professionals work on the Children’s Ward:
- care manager
- pediatric nurses
- student nurses
- pediatricians
- ward doctor
- interns
- nursing assistants
- dietary assistants
- activities supervisor (educational assistant)
- secretary
- housekeeping
Depending on the reason for admission of your child, other specialists, such as an ENT specialist, orthopedist, neurologist, surgeon, urologist, can be the ultimately responsible medical specialist, and the pediatrician is the consultant.
You will see the pediatricians and/or ward doctor every day, and the other specialists will also visit your child daily.
Privacy
Children also have a right to privacy. This is closely monitored. Therefore, information is only given to parents and not to third parties.
You may only take pictures of your own child and not of other children without the permission of the child’s parents or the staff on the ward without their permission. It’s also prohibited to take pictures or video of the staff without their permission.
Accessibility
Location Children’s ward: Tower B, 2nd floor
Telephone care manager: 527 4453
Telephone secretary and nurses: 527 4452 or 527 4454