at Covenant Children’s Hospital
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A resource for guardians and patients before, during, and after surgery.
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Table of Contents
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Page
Before Surgery
Important Information
4
Helping Your Child Prepare for Surgery
5
Age-Specific Ways to Help Your Child
6
Pre-Operation Services
7
Child Life Department Information
8
The Night Before Surgery
9
The Day of Surgery
10
During Surgery
Important Information
11
After Surgery
Important Information
12
Caring for Your Child
13
Frequently Asked Questions
14
Additional Resources
“About Me” (to be filled out and brought to surgery)
Coloring Pages
Things to Bring Checklist
Surgical Dictionary for Kids
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Before Surgery - Important Information
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ASAS Office Location

The SAS office is located in Building 81.
Admitting and Surgical Unit Location

When entering Covenant Children’s Hospital from entrance A, you will walk past the greeting desk and
past the elevators then turn right the admitting office is down the hall on the right. Patients will check
in at the admitting office on the ground floor, and then proceed to the second floor where they will be
greeted by the nursing staff and a member of the Child Life Department.

The surgical unit is located on the second floor of the North Central section of the hospital.
Transportation and Child Care

Make sure you have appropriate transportation available to go home from the hospital. Please prepare
to drive or arrange for a relative or friend to take you and your child home.

Please make child care plans for your other children for the day of surgery.
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Helping Your Child Prepare for Surgery
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Prepare yourself for your child‛s surgery.
 The staff at Covenant Children’s Hospital realize
that a child’s surgery can be stressful for the
parents. A child who senses a parent‛s anxiety
tends to become more anxious, which limits his
or her ability to cope effectively.
 Make sure your questions and concerns are
answered by the appropriate hospital
personnel.
 Attending pre-operative tours and P-L-A-Y are
a way to familiarize you and your child with
the hospital environment (see page 8).
“What do I tell my child, and how do I start?”
 Children need to know they are
coming to the hospital and why.
 Encourage your child to ask questions
and share their feelings.
 Simple, honest answers and
explanations work best (see page 6
for more details).
 Be mindful of the language you use.
 Child Life Specialists can help
explain the procedure and address
any anxiety the child may feel.
Encourage your child to participate in preparing to go to the hospital.
 Encourage your child to select and pack items to take to the hospital. Favorite dolls/stuffed animals,
books, music, games, and toys often make children feel more comfortable. They will be able to take
back one special item with them during their procedure.
Your presence is an essential part of your child‛s well being.
 Separation between a child and their guardian is often one of the child‛s greatest fears when
undergoing surgery. Assure your child that you will be with them as much as possible and will be
waiting for them in the waiting area. If you feel there will be added separation concerns, contact the
Child Life Specialist for further support.
Tell hospital staff what helps your child.
 Knowing what helps your child can help the hospital staff better care for your child on an individual
level. By filling out and bringing in the “About Me” page that is included in this packet, staff will know
how to better support and care for your child.
Focus on and talk about positive topics.
 Be positive and encouraging to your child. Praise your child before, during, and after the procedure for
doing all the tasks asked of them such as holding still and relaxing.
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e
Age Specific Ways to Help Your Child
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Bring your child’s favorite item (blanket, toy, stuffed animal).

Prepare yourself. This will allow everyone to be more at ease.

Keep your routines as normal as possible.

Don't give him too much time to think. Toddlers don't
yet understand the concept of time like adults, so tell your child
about the surgery only one or two days ahead of time.
Toddlers

Infants
Give him a sense of control. Allow him to choose a stuffed animal, blanket or favorite toy to bring
to the hospital. Reassure your child you will be with them whenever possible.
A sense

of control
Be as calm and patient as possible. It's normal for toddlers to be fussy
and "act out" before and after the procedure. You may want to read
books about the hospital with your child and encourage them to play
with toy medical kits.

Remember, the best medicine is you. Your touch and voice will
comfort your toddler more than anything else. Reassure your child that
their surgery isn't a punishment and that you'll be there with them as much as possible.

Use simple words your child can understand.
Pre-School

Give them some prep time. Tell your child about the surgery
three to five days in advance.

Choose your words carefully. Your child will be curious and want to know what to expect, but avoid
"double-meaning" words. For instance, don't explain anesthesia by telling your child the doctor is going
to put them to sleep; they may be reminded of a pet being "put to sleep" and think they will die.
Instead, say: "The doctors will help you take a nap for a few hours."

Listen to their fears. Reassure your child that the surgery is not his/her fault. Encourage expression of
feelings, and tell them it's OK to cry or be scared. It is not uncommon for children to view surgery as a
“punishment” or to be afraid of “waking up” during surgery.

Play with them. Try using a play medical kit to help them explore their
feelings — and help you spot any misconceptions they may have
about the upcoming surgery. Reading books with pictures of medical
equipment can also be very helpful.
It is OK
to cry!
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School Age

Give them a good bit of prep time, at least one to two weeks
ahead. Offer details about events before, during, and after
surgery.

Be supportive and honest, and treat your child as normally as possible. Realize it is normal for a child
to become angry or quiet in anticipation of surgery. Reassure them and encourage them to talk about
what they are feeling.

Read all about it. Find an age-appropriate book about going to the hospital and read it with them or
leave it for them to look at on their own.

Check for understanding. School-age children will listen carefully, but may not understand all that was
said. Have your child explain back to you what's going to happen in the hospital.

Involve friends. Encourage your child's friends to visit the hospital or to keep in touch with your child
via telephone, text, email, and cards.

Involve them. Adolescents like to be participants in deciding
what happens to them including the care they receive. Make
your teen a partner in his/her healthcare decisions and allow as
much control as possible. Discuss their fears completely and honestly.

Be truthful. Your child may become angry if they think people are keeping secrets from them. They
need to understand what's wrong with their body. How you give them that information is important as
what information you give them.

Encourage questions. Teens are often reluctant to ask questions, which may lead you to believe they
understand more than they actually do. Encourage your child to ask the doctors and nurses questions
about their condition.
Encourage questions

Teens
Encourage research. Have your teen start learning
and preparing as soon as the decision to have
surgery is made. Books and the Internet are good
places to start.

Involve friends. Encourage your child's friends to visit the hospital or to keep in touch with your child
via telephone, text, email, and cards.

Give them an outlet. You might want to try giving your teen a special notebook or journal; they may
find it helpful to write down their thoughts and feelings.

Give them privacy, which is essential for teens. Remember that adolescents are as protective of their
thoughts and feelings as they are of their bodies. Respect your child's privacy at all times.

Be patient. Realize your teen may go through frequent mood swings throughout the process. They may
withdraw and not want to talk or answer questions. They may need to be alone or, conversely, may
need more attention than usual. Be as understanding as possible.
Pre-Operation Services
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Pre operative-Learning-Activities– for-Youth
The Child Life Department at Covenant Children’s Hospital will facilitate P-L-A-Y, a
pre-operative learning experience for children, to allow them to become familiar with the
hospital environment. P-L-A-Y is available to any patient having surgery at Covenant
Children’s Hospital.

Activities Included in P-L-A-Y:

Meet the Child Life staff

Medical play experiences

Decorate patient’s blood pressure cuff

Tour relevant areas of the hospital

Taste test popsicle/freeze pop
Pre- Operation Tours
Having a surgery or procedure can be a challenging
experience for children and parents, so Covenant Children’s
Hospital offers free, weekly pre-admission tours to help you
prepare. The tours are conducted by a child life specialist
and are focused on helping to take away the child’s fear of
the unknown. Children have the opportunity to have handson experience with the equipment in a positive
atmosphere. Brothers and sisters also are encouraged to
attend.
Please contact the Child Life Department to schedule an appointment to participate in P-L-A-Y or
attend a hospital tour 725-6992.
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The Child Life Department
-------------------------------------------------------------------WE PLAY T
HEAL!
The existence of child life programs in medical facilities has resulted from a research supported need to
provide emotional support to infants, children, and adolescents as they cope with stressful experiences
related to illness and hospitalization. The presence of illness has been shown to be a major disruptive force
in the life of a child and family. In order to assist children in developing positive coping mechanisms, child
life programs utilize therapeutic and educational activities.
The goal of the Child Life Specialist is to develop a trusting, personal relationship with each patient and
his/her family. This relationship enables the child life team to provide services based on the personal,
developmental, and medical needs of the patient. The treatment activities provided by the child life team
serve the following functions:
1.
Work to reduce fears and stress experienced by children, adolescents and families regarding
healthcare experiences.
2.
Support the patient’s emotions, relationships and understanding while involving his/her family
and culture.
3.
Implement a wide range of recreational events and activities.
4.
Support patients and families to continue everyday living as much as possible.
5.
Strive to enhance the patient’s understanding of medical procedures and diagnoses using ageappropriate techniques.
6.
Provide a safe play environment
Pediatric health care has evolved to view each young patient as a “whole child”. The Child Life
Program, with its particular emphasis on the child’s emotional adjustment and growth through play and
education, works with the health care team to improve the quality of life.
The Child Life Department at Covenant Children’s Hospital wears pink scrubs and are known as the
“pink ladies.” The department presently includes two Certified Child Life Specialists, volunteers, and
university practicum and internship students. The child life team provides therapeutic, developmental, and
educational activities for all patients throughout the hospital.
Amy Peck, BS, CCLS
Child Life Manager
806-725-6997
apeck@covhs.org
Katie Reed, BS, CCLS
Child Life Coordinator
806-725-6992
Reedk1@covhs.org
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The Night Before Surgery
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
Please be sure your child has a bath or shower and his or her hair is washed the night before the
procedure. More specific instructions may be given by the SAS office or Medical office staff.

Have your child remove all nail polish and jewelry including piercings.

Discuss the next day’s events with your child in terms he or she can understand. Be careful to inform,
but not alarm.

Collect everything you need to bring (see provided checklist).
o Follow the eating and drinking instructions provided by the SAS staff or surgery nurse.
Your child’s surgery may be rescheduled for another day if he or she eats or drinks too close to the time of
surgery.
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The Day of Surgery
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Dress your child in comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Pajamas are acceptable.

Allow adequate time for travel and parking.

Bring items you need (see provided checklist).

When you and your child arrive, a nurse will check

Weight

Height

Vital signs

Consents

Your child’s anesthesiologist will come speak with you.

A member of the Child Life Department will come and speak with you and your child.

Your child may become upset when it is time to go to the operating room or testing unit. The staff of
Covenant Children’s Hospital is experienced to help ease your child’s fears and provide comfort during
separation. The child life staff is also available to help with these transitions.

Encourage your child that you will be waiting for them when they return.
Mask Program

The Child Life Department will give each patient the opportunity to decorate and become familiar with
their own special mask used for anesthesia. The patient will be able to take this into their procedure
and keep the mask after surgery.
During Surgery - Important Information
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Remember, a parent or legal guardian needs to be with the child throughout the day of surgery, so we
ask that you not leave the hospital or surgery center during your child's stay, even while she's in
surgery.

We will show you where to wait during your child's surgery. Please stay in this area because your
child's surgeon will look for you there when the surgery is over.

The child life staff at Covenant Children’s strives to make your experience as stress free as possible. If
you have other children who will be waiting, please feel free to ask a Child Life staff member for
coloring sheets, word searches, toys, or activities to help them pass the time.

Vending machines and coffee are available and located within the waiting rooms.

We will make every effort to reunite you with your child as soon as possible after surgery.
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After Surgery - Important Information
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After your child’s procedure is completed, he or she will be taken to the recovery room until the
effects of anesthesia begin to wear off. You will be called to the recovery room once your child is awake.
The length of time your child spends in the recovery room will vary with the procedure and the child.

Children who are scheduled to stay overnight will be assigned an inpatient room.

Children who are going home will return to the Same Day Surgery Center’s post-op unit to be prepared
for discharge.

If your child has had surgery that doesn't require her to stay overnight, he or she will stay for a few
hours following the procedure. Before they allow your child to go home, the healthcare team will make
sure that:

They are fully awake

Their vital signs — heart rate, breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure — are
normal.


They can drink some liquids without becoming nauseated or vomiting.

Their pain is well managed, and they are comfortable enough to go home.
Remember to follow up with your doctor about any therapy or medications your child may need for his
or her recovery and to learn when your child can resume certain activities, including school.

After surgery, your doctor or nurse will ask about any pain your child may have. Whenever your child is
given medication, especially a new one, ask what it is for and its side effects. This will ensure you are
kept informed. If you have questions or concerns about any medication, ask the doctor or nurse.

School or employment absence excuses are available upon request.
After Surgery - Caring For Your Child
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
Prepare in advance by buying a supply of clear liquids such as ginger ale, Popsicles®, apple juice, etc.,
before the day of the procedure so you will have something to offer your child to drink afterward.

Have your child eat lightly for the next meal. Restaurant meals, especially fast food, are not
recommended on the day of surgery.
 Keep the discharge instructions on your refrigerator or near the telephone. Call your surgeon or seek
medical treatment if you have any questions or if problems arise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Why can't my child eat or drink before surgery?
The safest way for your child to receive anesthesia and decrease the possibility of your child vomiting,
aspirating and developing pneumonia is by following the detailed instructions for eating and drinking.
This means no chewing gum, candy, milk, tooth-brushing or water. Eating or drinking after the
restricted times given to you by the surgery nurse will cause a surgery delay.
What if my child has a cold or is exposed to a disease before surgery?
If your child should develop a cold or flu-like symptoms a day or two before surgery, or if your child has
been around someone who has measles, chicken pox, shingles, or mumps within 21 days before the
surgery, please contact the surgeon.
2. Can a grandparent or step-parent sign consent for surgery?
The only people permitted to sign surgery and anesthesia consent forms (legal documents) are legal
parents or guardians. If you are not the biological or adoptive parent, but you do have guardianship of
the child, please bring your legal proof of guardianship. If you have custody of the child, please contact
your social worker or caseworker prior to the day of admission to assist you in this process.
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4015 22nd Place
Lubbock, TX 79410
Ph: 806.725.1011
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