Pediatrics Unit:
Preparing for Your Hospital Stay
California Pacific has been caring for children for over a century. Each year, nearly 2,000 children are admitted to our Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units.
While an inpatient at California Pacific Medical Center, children and their family benefit from the most advanced treatment methods available and CPMC expert pediatric team's compassionate, family-centered care.
When Your Child is Hospitalized
Your child's care while in house at California Pacific Medical Center will be managed by a hospitalist. Hospitalists work in partnership with your pediatrician and you to determine the best course of treatment for your child. CPMC hospitalists are board-certified pediatricians with special skills, experience and interests in treating children who require hospitalization. They provide a constant point of contact for families and are available round-the-clock.
Hospitalists coordinate and oversee all inpatient care including subspecialty appointments, procedures, tests, and transport. Their expertise lies in helping hospitalized children and the managing the systems that support these children.
Upon admission, you will meet your child's hospitalist who will act as your family's in-hospital pediatrician. Consider the hospitalist as your liaison and your resource regarding your child's health. Our hospitalists have ongoing communication with your referring pediatrician and, once your child is discharged, provide a comprehensive follow up plan for his/her care.
We realize that a hospital admission is stressful and want to make your child's stay as comfortable as possible. Our approach is based on the concept of family-centered care with the belief that the family is a child's primary source of strength and support. We encourage you to participate in your child's care and welcome your questions and suggestions.
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Preparing for Your Child's Stay
Because the thought of a hospital stay may cause fear and anxiety in children, we encourage you to talk to your child in advance of his/her visit. Explaining the reasons for your child's hospitalization in terms he/she can understand can help ease some initial fears. To stay connected to one's home and family, we encourage children to bring any of the following items that may make their stay more comfortable:
We also have a supply of books and toys for use.
We provide rooming-in accommodations for one parent. If you choose to stay with your child, please bring toiletries, clothes and other essentials. If other family members want to stay in the area, a social worker can provide information on local lodgings and help you make arrangements.
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The Pediatric Unit
California Pacific's 27-bed pediatric unit and 8-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are located at CPMC's California Campus in San Francisco. These units provide care for children ranging from birth through 18 years of age. Take a virtual tour of the CPMC pediatric unit and PICU.
The pediatric team is focused on providing patients and families with outstanding, individualized care. Because of our specially trained pediatricians and medical staff, patients are referred to California Pacific from communities throughout Northern California for treatment. California Pacific's pediatric units are certified by California Children's Services, demonstrating our pediatric expertise and our high level of care and equipment available for young children and adolescents.
In the pediatric unit, a playroom with age-appropriate toys, books, videos and activities for children, as well as a recreation room are available. Our Child Life staff--certified specialists trained to deal with children's reactions to their illness--help minimize stress and promote healthy growth and development during hospitalization using medical play and activities, and education.
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CPMC Pediatric Team of Experts
While our hospitalists oversee day-to-day inpatient care, they are supported by a comprehensive pediatric team with extensive experience and training in pediatric aspects of their field. Pediatric team members include:
- Pediatric subspecialty physicians
- Pediatric Hospitalists
- Pediatric registered nurses
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
- Respiratory, speech, physical and occupational therapists
- Social workers
- Dietitians
- Case managers
- Child life specialists
- Pastoral care professionals
The pediatric team works closely together ensuring that your child's needs are met. Because of our experience in caring for sick children, we can help anticipate needs and questions, but also invite you to ask us anything, at any time.
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California Pacific Medical Center
Pediatric Specialty Services
Specialty pediatric services at CPMC in San Francisco feature some of the top-rated pediatric physician specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area and northern California. We deliver family-centered care to babies, young children, adolescents, and children through age 18 using the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available. We are located in San Francisco and serve the San Francisco bay area, Marin and all of Northern California.
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CPMC, Where Kids Come First!
- Read our Healthy Kids newsletter.
- Make an appointment at our Pediatric Specialty Care Center.
- Learn more about our dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department.