Family Guide to Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
This can be a time of concern for you and your family, but doing as much preparation as you can before your child’s admission should reduce the amount of stress.
Asking questions of the medical staff should, in turn, help you to answer your child’s questions. Remember that questions may not only come from the child who is scheduled for admission, but also from siblings who may be experiencing their own worries. Keep answers simple, age appropriate, and most importantly, be truthful with your answers.
When a child is told that something won’t hurt when it will, it might make the child distrustful of answers to his/her questions about the hospitalization experience. Be reassuring with your explanations. For example, if your child asks if the needle will hurt, explain that it will only hurt for a few moments, but that you will be there to hold his/her hand. This gives your child a realistic expectation of what to expect. The fear of the unknown is the greatest factor in your child’s concern about the upcoming admission.
Some of the questions your child may have include:
- Why do I have to have the operation?
- Why is this happening to me?
- Can I go home right away?
- Will it hurt?
- Who is going to take care of me?
- What if I wake up during the operation?
- Will I be different after the operation?
- Will the medication make me look strange?
Please remember that children may not always be able to let you know verbally what is upsetting them; they may act out, be more demanding, or become less social than they normally are. This may be particularly true of older children (ages 10 and over) who may be worried, but who are uncomfortable talking about their feelings.
The more you understand and can explain to your child, the more relaxed your child will be about the upcoming hospitalization. Children - particularly younger children - are very sensitive to the feelings their parents exhibit. If you are worried or anxious, your child will pick up on that, and your child’s own concerns will increase. However, denying feelings is not good either. Rather, be honest with yourself, your family, and your child.
It’s understandable that you would be worried about your child needing to have surgery. However, this should be balanced with your understanding of why the surgery is in your child’s best interests, as well as your confidence in the medical staff to provide the level of care your child needs. Your comfort and understanding will readily be transmitted to your child.
You have plenty of resources to help you with preparing for this hospitalization: your child’s physicians, hospital staff, other parents, family members, and clergy.
Some of the questions you may want to find answers to in an effort to prepare your child might include:
- What tests will be done?
- What will happen during the admission?
- What clothing is OK for the hospitalization?
- Who can visit? When can they visit?
- Can someone stay overnight?
- What is the hospital room like?
- Will there be a lot of pain?
- How will the pain be controlled or treated?
- How should I explain the surgery to my child?
- How long will the hospitalization be?
You may also need to make plans for the rest of your family. Can neighbors or family members get them to and from school and to their afterschool activities? Prepare and freeze meals for not only the time of the hospitalization, but also for the first few days home, which can be an equally hectic time for your family. Pay your household bills, etc. Little details like these may escape your memory during the hospitalization, but they still need to be done.
If you work outside of your home, think about how much time you can take off from work. If you only have a limited amount of time, use it wisely. It may be a better use of your time to take it when your child is home. While your child is hospitalized, you will have the staff providing care to your child, and you can visit after work. When you child is home, family care is crucial. If this is not possible, consider extended family members and/or neighbors who may be able to help once your child is home.
(Do not “bank on” insurance-provided home care; there are many stipulations based on benefits and medical situations. Additionally, nearly all home care agencies will not provide care to a child unless a parent or adult is present.)
A planned admission allows you time to plan!
Preadmission Testing Day
The pediatric pre-admission testing department is open 8 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday. We are located at Hospital For Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, in the main hospital building on the 5th floor, in the 5-West Pediatric Outpatient unit.
Anna Givant, RN is the pediatric clearance nurse and is available at 212.606.1000, ext. 4173.
Please take note of the following:
- Children coming to HSS for pre-surgical clearance must be accompanied by a parent or documented legal guardian.
- Please be prepared for the possibility of spending up to three hours with us.
- A copy of your child’s immunization record is required on the day of your pre-surgical clearance, or you may fax it to us anytime before your pre-surgical clearance appointment at 212.606.1614. Advise our department of any special circumstances concerning your child’s immunizations before your appointment.
- If your child is not having surgery on the day of the pre-surgical clearance appointment, there is no need for the child to fast, and you may bring snacks for him/her.
- If your child has seen a specialist for any health conditions, please let us know and have the name, phone numbers, and any other medical documentation from the specialists available on the day of your appointment.
- Bring a list of medications your child is taking.
- Please inform us if you need an interpreter before your appointment date; one will be arranged for you, free of charge.
- Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Planning for Your Hospital Stay (checklist)
Personal articles and clothing should be limited to those that fit into a single, small piece of luggage. There is very little storage space in the inpatient room. We suggest you plan in two phases:
- What your child may need, or want, while in the hospital: If you expect family or someone else to visit you as soon as you go to your inpatient room, it may be most convenient for you to ask them to bring certain items to the hospital for you.
What to Bring to the Hospital:
- Imunization record (if not available at pre-surgical screening)
- Signed Surgical Consent (if not previously provided)
- X-rays and lab reports (if requested)
- Wheelchair, crutches, or any special equipment
- Flat support, non-slip athletic or walking shoes
- Short nightgown, loose pajamas, or baggy shorts, etc. (They must fit over dressings; you won’t be able to wear pajamas or shorts at first.)
- Short, lightweight bathrobe (Short clothing helps prevent tripping while walking.)
- Personal toiletries
- Several extra diapers
- Baby formula
- Eyeglasses, instead of contact lenses (They are easier to take care of and less likely to be lost in the hospital. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible if you lose them.)
- A written list of medications your child has been taking (Include any you may have stopped in anticipation of surgery.)
- Telephone numbers of people you may want to call
- Inspirometer (if supplied during the pre-surgical clearance visit)
- Orthotics (if you use them)
- Small amount of money for newspapers, items from gift cart, etc.
- Credit card, checks, or cash for TV and telephone services
- A book, favorite toy, blanket, VCR tapes or a portable DVD player. Nintendo GameCube is also available on the unit.
Please DO NOT bring to Hospital:
- Valuables
- Jewelry
- Plug-in electrical medical equipment (we will provide if necessary)
A note about medications: Leave home only with the medications you need for your trip, unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon or pediatrician. Once your child arrives at HSS, we will supply all his/her medications. If you bring your own supply, it will be deposited in the hospital pharmacy safe. However, if the prescription is brought in the original container and can be identified by the hospital pharmacist (and is authorized by your doctor) it can be administered without requiring a substitute of that same medication from the hospital pharmacy. Our nursing staff will keep it and administer the medication as prescribed.
It is not uncommon for young women who are having surgery to have an alteration in their menstrual cycle. Sanitary pads are available and will be provided by the hospital.
- What you will need for your trip home: This will include the loose-fitting clothing, proper, non-skid shoes, outer coat (in season), etc. These items can be brought in by a family member on the day of discharge.
Neighborhood Directory Preoperative Instructions
The following instructions will be discussed by your child's nurse during the pre-surgical clearance appointment. If you or your child has any questions, please do not hesitate to call the nurse at 212.606.1000, ext. 4173, Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
The Day Prior to Surgery:
- Strictly follow the fasting guidelines provided to you by the nurse who calls you the day before surgery.
- If your child is taking medications on a regular basis, follow your surgeon's or pediatrician’s instructions on how the medications should be taken before surgery.
- If your child requires special feeding (G tube, breast or bottle feeding, etc.), please follow your pediatrician’s instructions regarding the time of the last feeding, and bring several days worth of supplies to the hospital.
- If your child is wearing diapers, please bring a few with you on the day of surgery.
- Have your child take a shower or a bath with betadine scrub the night before surgery, if directed by your surgeon.
- Wash with the sponge part of the scrub from the neck down. Please protect eyes. Rinse eyes with large amounts of water if accidental exposure occurs.
- Notify your physician if your child is ill, has a rash or infection, or has been exposed to a communicable disease.
- Eat a light dinner the day before surgery.
- Practice using the incentive spirometer daily. Try to elevate all three balls!
- If your child has long hair, please have it braided prior to surgery in order to avoid hair tangle. Avoid using pins or any sharp objects in the hair in order to avoid accidental injury.
- A waterless shampoo (“No-Rinse” shampoo) can be used while your child is in the hospital.
- If your child wears contact lenses, please remove them on the day of surgery.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
- Do not take any medications containing Ibuprofen and Aspirin (Motrin, Advil, Aleve) before surgery, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
- Please remove nail polish, artificial nails, and all jewelry on the day of surgery.
- You will receive a phone call from the Same Day Admissions nurse the day before your child’s scheduled surgery to confirm the expected time and place for admission.
- If you do not hear from the hospital by 2:00 pm, please call 212.606.1326 before 4 pm.
- The nurse will tell you what time you are scheduled for surgery, review your pre-operative instructions, and answer any questions you may have.
Fasting Recommendations for Pediatric Patients Before Surgery
Although the following fasting guidelines will help you prepare for your child’s surgery, more specific instructions will be provided to you by the nurse at your pre-op visit and over the phone during the confirmation phone call you will receive the day before surgery. If you have any questions about your child’s specific case, please feel free to ask these nurses about these guidelines.
| Type of Food | Minimum Time Before Surgery |
| Clear Liquids (water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, black coffee) | Allowed up to 3 hours before surgery |
| Breast Milk | Allowed up to 3 hours before surgery |
| Infant Formula | Allowed up to 6 hours before surgery |
| Non-human milk (cow milk, soy milk, etc.) | Allowed up to 6 hours before surgery |
| Solid, LIGHT meal (toast or clear liquids. NO fried/fatty foods or meat.) | Allowed up to 8 hours before surgery |
The Day of Surgery
We realize that this is an extremely stressful time for your family. All of us want this day to be as easy as it can be for your child and your family.
Dependent upon your child’s medical needs, admission to Hospital for Special Surgery may occur the day before surgery. The majority of our patients are admitted on the day of surgery. This is referred to as same day surgery. Before surgery, you and your child will go to the Same Day Admission Unit (located in Room 450). This area is where your child will be “prepped” or readied for surgery. Several physicians and nurses will be in to examine your child, answer questions you may have, and do some minimal preparation (i.e., cleaning the operative site) for surgery. At this time, your child’s IV (intravenous, which some children refer to as their “ivy”) may be started. For many children, having the IV started is the time of highest fear and anxiety. For some children, the IV can be started in the operating room (OR) after anesthesia has been administered.
When it is time for you to leave your child, the staff will escort you to the Family Atrium. The Family Atrium staff will be able to update you as to the progress of your child’s surgery. To provide you and your family with as much comfort as possible, the Atrium has a television available, as well as coffee, tea, fax service, and telephones. Hospital staff can assist you with hospital and neighborhood resources. Cell phones may be used in the Family Atrium, but please refrain from using them in patient areas. You can reach the Family Atrium at 212.774.2201.
Please remember that with any surgery, time frames are approximations. Start times and durations of surgeries are estimates. With all surgeries, there is a room set-up time that can add to the length of time your child will be in the OR.
When the surgery is over, your child’s surgeon will find you and tell you how the surgery went. If your family is unable to be present after surgery, please notify your surgeon’s office where your family can be reached and provide the telephone number. Immediately following surgery, your child will be transferred to the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). The length of time your child spends in PACU is dependent upon the type of surgical procedure, the anesthesia used (local or general), and your child’s general state of health. In some cases, your child may need to spend the night in the PACU for further monitoring, particularly if they have had spine surgery. Parents will be advised by staff when they can visit their child in PACU. Once the medical staff has determined that your child is medically stable, he/she will be brought to an assigned room in the Pediatric Unit (located on the 5th floor in the East wing)
Your Child's Safety at HSS
Your child’s safe care and recovery are our primary concern. Please read through these guidelines to help us meet these goals.
Beds and cribs: We keep the beds at the lowest level to make it easier for your child to get in and out of bed, and to prevent falls. While your child is in bed, please keep the side rails up and in the locked position at all times. The bed controls are located on the side rails, which can be used to elevate the head or foot as needed. Your child will also have a remote that has the nursing call bell as well as controls for the light and television. If you need help with any of these functions, please ask your nurse or nursing technician for assistance.
We invite you to stay with your child at all times. If you cannot be present, or need special assistance, please tell your nurse so that we can provide extra care if needed.
Home equipment: We understand that your child may use special electrical medical equipment at home, such as feeding pumps. Please let us know prior to admission so that we can have our own equipment available for you. Unfortunately, we cannot allow the use of home equipment due to our own standards that we must follow for safety of electrical equipment. In addition, please do not bring plug-in toys to the hospital.
Cellular phones: Cellular equipment (phones, BlackBerries) may interfere with the function of hospital equipment. We ask that you refrain from using cellular equipment in the inpatient areas. You may be able to use them in designated areas. Please ask our staff for locations.
Balloons: Many of our patients have an allergy to latex. Therefore, we ask that you do not bring or send latex balloons to the hospital. As an alternative, mylar balloons are permitted on the premises.
Food: Most of the children are here for surgical procedures, and they resume eating slowly. Please do not offer food to your child without checking with your child’s care providers. Also, please do not offer food to the other children in the hospital, as they may be in the same situation or may be on a special diet.
Environment: While staying with your child, please do not walk barefoot or allow your child to do so. You will need non-skid slippers or shoes. If you do not have any, we can provide them to you. Please limit your personal belongings to the closet and bedside dresser. We need to keep clear pathways to the bathroom and to the hallway for your child and staff to pass through freely.
When using a wheelchair, please be sure to lock the wheels before getting in or out of the chair. If you are unsure how to use the wheelchair or other equipment - such as crutches or a walker - please ask your nurse or physical therapist for assistance.
Infection control: Please wash your hands when entering and leaving the room. There are hand antibiotic gel dispensers on the walls of every room for your convenience. Please follow all guidelines if isolation is required.
Privacy and confidentiality: We are committed to providing confidential care to your child as well as to others. Please do not ask us to discuss any other child’s condition. We will safeguard your privacy, and if you have special needs, please let us know.
We invite you to become partners in your child’s care. Talk with the doctors and nurses about your child and feel free to ask questions. We are here to help your child and family get through the hospital experience with the best possible outcome.
Who's Who at Hospital for Special Surgery
During the course of this hospitalization, you and your child will be encountering numerous Hospital for Special Surgery staff members. This can be confusing to meet so many different people who do so many different types of jobs. A good suggestion is to keep a log or record.
Here are just some of the people you may meet during this hospitalization:
Attending Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons are specially trained and licensed in orthopedic surgery for children.
Orthopedic Surgery Fellows are doctors who have completed their orthopedic surgery residency and are further specializing in either pediatric orthopedic surgery or spine surgery.
Orthopedic Residents are doctors who specialize in caring for people who have diseases that affect joints, muscles, and connective tissues.
Pediatric Rheumatology Fellows are doctors who are in training to specialize in pediatric rheumatology and are under the direction of an Attending Pediatric Rheumatologist.
Anesthesiologists are the doctors who will administer and monitor the medication that will keep your child sedated and pain-free during surgery. The Pain Management Team will help control your child’s discomfort after surgery.
Attending Pediatricians and Pediatric Residents are physicians who specialize in the medical care of children. There will also be a pediatric resident assigned to each patient who works closely with the attending pediatric physician.
The Nursing Staff is a group in professionals from a variety of backgrounds and includes Nurse Managers, Registered Nurses (RNs), Nursing Assistants, and Unit Assistants. The Nursing Staff is broken down into three shifts: Days (7 am - 3 pm), Evenings (3 pm - 11pm) and Nights (11 pm - 7 am). For each shift, a RN will be assigned to care for your child. This should not be confused with Private Duty Nurses (PDNs). Staff Nurses are responsible for the care of more than one patient per shift. PDNs work on a 1:1 (one-on-one) patient to nurse ratio. If you are interested in hiring a PDN, please contact the Nursing Administration Office at 212.606.1231.
Physical Therapists (PTs) are professionals who are specially trained in exercises to strengthen the muscles of the lower extremities/legs or weight-bearing joints. Your child’s doctor will contact the PT and a physical therapy program will be designed for your child’s needs. The PT will also evaluate your child’s need for adaptive equipment (i.e., wheelchair, walker, crutches, cane).
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are professionals who are specially trained in exercises to strengthen the muscles of the upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands). Like PTs, the OTs will be referred by your child’s doctors.
Case Managers are professionals who are here to help you and your child cope with the stress of hospitalization and/or surgery. At Hospital for Special Surgery, your case manager may either be an MSW (Masters in Social Work) social worker or an RN (registered nurse). Case Managers can also assist you with Discharge Planning, explanations of benefits, and insurance justifications for continued hospitalization.
Child Life Staff are professionals who try to desensitize the medical environment for you and your child in the inpatient setting. Child Life assistants are available for 1:1 recreational activities.
Speech Therapists (STs) are professionals who use exercise programs to work with children who have difficulty speaking, swallowing, and/or eating.
Psychologists are professionals who are trained in psychological and educational testing as well as counseling for children and their families.
Visiting Patients on 5 East
Daily visiting hours are 10:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Visitors under the age of 14 must be approved by nursing staff prior to visit. It is recommended that each patient have only two visitors at one time. One parent or adult may be with the patient at all times.
Sleepover Parent
Beside each hospital bed on 5 East is a sleeper chair that folds out into a bed for the use of one sleepover parent. Linen and pillows can be obtained from the Nursing Staff. In each patient room, there is a shower in the bathroom that can also be used by parents. It is recommended that you bring light, comfortable clothing (hospitals tend to be warm). Parents can order Parent Trays from the child’s hospital menu. Kosher options are available upon request. At the Nurses’ Station, a menu book is kept with dozens of menus from local restaurants that will deliver to HSS. The Belaire Café, located across the street on East 71st Street, is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. They serve breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, coffee/tea, beverages, and snacks.
For directions, please visit our Maps and Directions page.
Discharge Planning
Transitioning Your Child From Hospital For Special Surgery
Discharge planning, like preparing for an upcoming surgery, starts before admission to the hospital. Speak to the professionals who are involved with your child’s care — doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social workers — to find out what your child’s anticipated post-hospitalization needs will be.
Please remember that insurance coverage may not provide what you think should be covered; plan for what you will do if your insurance does not have a coverage benefit for a particular service or if your insurance denies a certain level of care, service, or service provider. Your social worker/discharge planner will be available to assist you and your family with any questions related to your child’s discharge plans and/or insurance coverage.
Rehab Facilities—there are a very limited number of facilities that are geared to work with children and teenagers. There are two types of rehab facilities:
Acute—patients must be able to participate in 3+ hours/day of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy. This occurs in an
inpatient setting.
Sub-Acute—patients are able to participate in less than three hours/day of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy. Still provided in an inpatient setting, sub-acute traditionally occurs in a skilled nursing facility.
Homecare—covers a broad array of services:
Certified homecare—medically necessary, insurance authorized homecare that provides care related to hospitalization needs, i.e. Physical Therapy, Complex Wound Care, Intravenous Therapy (IV). Please note that if homecare is medically indicated and your insurance has authorized this level of care, there must always be an adult present at home with the child. Certified homecare staff does not provide childcare.
Private pay—private, licensed homecare agencies are available on a fee for service basis. Your social worker/discharge planner can provide you with a list of agencies.
Outpatient Rehab—physical therapy that occurs at either an outpatient physical therapy center or with a private physical therapist. Check with your insurance about your benefits and any procedures that need to be followed. For example, is a prescription from the surgeon enough or do you need a referral from your child’s primary care physician/pediatrician?
Transportation—non-emergency transportation is not routinely covered by insurance. However, depending on your insurance plan and specific medical situations, it may be covered. Consider not only how you will get your child home, but also how will you take your child to follow-up medical appointments and on routine outings.
Equipment—also known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME)—crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, hospital beds, commodes. Speak to your doctor about what is medically necessary. Your social worker will be able to assist you in what your insurance will cover and what co-pays and/or out of pocket expenses may be incurred.
School—please check with your child’s school before admission to find out what the policy is about students returning to school with crutches, wheel- chairs, etc. Some schools have policies that provide home instruction rather than have a student come to school with ambulation aides. Also ask what the school’s policy is about amount of time a student is out of school before home instruction will be provided.
Caregivers—you, your family, friends, neighbors. Consider what your child’s needs are going to be coupled with all your other responsibilities. For example, if you will need to take time off from work, consider planning your time off for when your child is actually home. When your child is in the hospital, the staff will be providing care to your child. However, if you have a limited amount of time from your job, make the best use of that time—when your child is home. Consider other family members—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins—see if you can work out a schedule of caregivers for when your child is home recuperating.
Lisa Ipp, MD
H. Susan Cha, MD
Lucia Fabrizio, MSN, RN, CPNP
Mary Maloney, RN
Anna Givant, RN
Cindy MacDonald, RN
Lorraine Montuori, LCSW
Stephanie Perlman, MD
