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Preparing for a Hospital Stay

Tips from Other Families

Parents whose children have been hospitalized at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center say that the following items can help you be more comfortable during your stay:

  • Comfortable clothes and shoes
  • Sweater or light jacket
  • Hand lotion
  • Medications you take regularly
  • Change for vending machines
  • Items that will help you pass the time while you're in the hospital, for example, reading material, knitting, note cards, address book and stamps
  • If you have a pager, you may want to bring it so staff can reach you when you're off the unit

Another tip: If your child has a complicated medical history, you might want to write a summary so that you can provide complete, accurate information to the care providers.