Before Your Child's Surgery or Procedure

Our pediatric anesthesiologists get to know every patient before surgery to make it as safe as possible.

Wondering what questions to ask before your child’s surgery? If you have time, review and complete the following checklist at least one week before your child’s scheduled surgery or procedure. Being prepared will help you and your child feel less anxious.

Call your insurance company

If you have any questions or concerns about your insurance coverage please call your insurance company before your appointment. If your plan contains a preferred provider list, please confirm that Dayton Children’s physicians are included.
If your plan requires a referral from your primary care provider, have your primary care doctor fax it to us at 937-641-4500 at least four days before your child’s visit.
If you have questions about the referral, contact central scheduling at 937-641-4000. Please call after your child’s doctor has sent the referral.

Arrange a presurgery tour

Tours are conducted weekly for children scheduled for surgery and their parents. parents find this helps releive theri anxiety about the upcoming surgery. Tours are presented every Monday and Wednesday evening (except major holidays) beginning at 7 p.m. Just meet in our main lobby at Dayton Children's. Call 937-641-3476 for more information.

Request x-rays and test results

Talk to your child’s primary doctor to find out if he or she will be sending test results and x-rays or if you will need to bring them to your child’s appointment.

Make a list of medicines

Make a list of all prescription and nonprescription medicines and supplements (vitamins, herbal medicine, etc) your child is taking, or bring the medicine bottles with you. Make sure you have the name of each medicine as well as the dosage and instructions.

Give permission to treat if you can't be with your child

If you, the parent or legal guardian, cannot be with your child the day of the procedure, please complete Permission to Treat without a Parent or Guardian.
For help, call Dayton Children’s social work department at 937-641-5300.

Find places to stay and eat

Many of our surgeries do not require an overnight stay. If you will be staying overnight, see our Places to Stay.
There is room for one parent to stay overnight in the child’s room. Overnight accommodations are available at the Ronald McDonald House located across the street from Dayton Children’s, as well as other area hotels and motels. See Places to Stay for detailed information.
The Ronald McDonald House may also be able to help you find a local motel or hotel that offers discounts to families of patients at Dayton Children’s.
Meals are available for purchase through the hospital cafeteria. The Family Resource Center (937-641-3700), patient relations manager, your child’s nurse or the information desk can give you a list of area dining, shopping and entertainment options.

Arrange for child care

It is important you are able to focus on your hospitalized child. Please arrange for child care if you have other children at home. Dayton Children’s does not provide child care for visiting brothers and sisters.

Understand visitation policy

Parents or guardians may visit 24 hours a day and all other visitors such as brothers and sisters, may visit from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Please note that some special care units (such as pediatric intensive care and the Regional Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit have limited visiting privileges). Check with special care units for visiting information.
General visiting should be limited to three people at a time per patient and only two siblings may visit at a time. Visiting brothers and sisters younger than 15 years of age must be screened for communicable diseases and supervised by at least one adult.
Please see Preparing for a Visit for more information on visitation.

Tell us about your special needs

If your family has special needs, requires a wheelchair, a sign language interpreter, a language translator or any other type of assistance, please let us know before your arrival so we can make you and your family as comfortable as possible.

Tell us about your cultural beliefs

Please let us know about any personal, cultural or spiritual beliefs or practices that may affect your child's treatment and care.

Apply for financial assistance

Dayton Children's is a not-for-profit medical center, which cares for all children regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to working with families to help you pay your medical bills. You can apply for Financial Assistance before, during or after your child receives care at Dayton Children's. See Financial Matters for more details.

Understand your hospital bill

For information on paying your bill, see Financial Matters.

Know how to get here

We want to make it easy to find Dayton Children's. Visit Locations to obtain door-to-door directions, written directions and an area map. If you are traveling from out of town and need a place to stay, please also visit Places to Stay.
For help with directions, call 937-641-3000.
For your convenience, get directions from Google Maps (on the left).

Know where to park

Paid parking is available in front of the medical center. Parking is $2 per day. Parking passes can be purchased at a discount – seven for $10 – in the admitting office. If you will be coming and going in the same day, in and out passes are available from the parking attendant.

Learn about our resources and services

Please visit our Family and Visitor Guide to learn about our resources and services that will make your child’s stay more comfortable.

The Day Before

Get eating and drinking instructions

Three to four days before surgery, one of our nurses will call to go over feeding instruction and other information. This information is shared with the pediatric anesthesiologist who will use it to plan your child’s care. Your child’s surgery time will be confirmed. If you have not heard from us by 6:00 pm the day before surgery, call 937-641-3476.
Please call 937-641-3476 to confirm special food instructions.

Check for illness

Check to see if your child has a new rash, fever, cold or flu or has been exposed to chicken pox or tuberculosis (TB) in the last three weeks. If so, please call 937-641-3777 or 3476 to let day surgery know. Your child’s procedure may need to be rescheduled.

Plan Your Trip

Know your scheduled check-in time and plan to arrive early, about 20 minutes, to give yourself plenty of time for parking and check-in. If your child needs blood taken or other tests done, you may be asked to come much sooner. Call 937-641-3476 if you are not sure when to arrive.

Organize what to bring

Insurance cards. Having your most recent insurance card will help us make sure your bill is accurate and processed in a timely way.
Important information. We ask that you bring all current insurance information including the responsible party’s social security number, date of birth and addresses for parents/guardians and the child.
Comfort items - Please bring a few items from home that might make your child feel more comfortable such as a favorite toy or book. Our surgery center offers DVD players and a PS2 system.

Pack for Hospital Stay

One or two toys (no battery or friction-operated toys)
Schoolwork
A comfort item such as a blanket or stuffed animal
Robe, slippers and pajamas (We provide pajamas, but your child may prefer the ones from home)
Items should be labeled with your child's name
Favorite CD, video or DVD to play. Hand-held computer game systems are also available in many parts of the hospital. If you know where your child will be, ask what kind of system is available.
Note we will provide:
- Pajamas
- Disposable diapers (or regular diapers for infants who have allergies)
- Bottles (We also have different sizes and types of nipples)

Resources

Pain Management - minimizing your child's pain is a priority. A team of specialists are available to ensure your child is as pain-free as possible.
Child life
Family Resource Center
Support groups
CaringBridge - a free service that allows you to set up a website about your child's care
The Spot Shop - hospital gift shop