Â鶹¹ÙÍø¡¯s Pediatric Unit provides comprehensive care for Kootenai¡¯s youngest patients from newborns to children up to 18 years of age.
Facilities and Staff
The eight-room unit consists of five private rooms and three semi-private rooms. Staff are specially trained in dealing with pediatric patients and are dedicated to making your child’s stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Pediatric patients will be seen by one of our pediatric hospitalists.
Family-Centered Care
The focus of the Pediatric Unit is family-centered care. When a child is in the hospital, it can be frightening for both parent and child. Kootenai staff make every effort to ease the apprehension of the entire family.
Parents are encouraged to bring familiar toys and blankets and are welcome to stay overnight with their child. This is a baby-friendly department, supporting breast feeding moms and providing meals and consultation services as needed. Older kids have access to appropriate movies and games.
Rehabilitation Programs
The at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Rehabilitation Services offers a comprehensive evaluation for children from birth to age 21. All programs are customized to highlight a child’s functional goals during the therapy session, which can then be carried on at home and at school.
Andrea¡¯s Closet
One way the pediatric staff help ease a child’s discomfort is by giving them a toy from Andrea’s closet. The program originated with Andrea Brunk, a young cancer patient in Arizona. When word of the program spread to Katie Kladar, she worked to bring it to Kootenai.
Julie¡¯s Poke Box
Another way pediatric staff can comfort children is with Julie’s poke box. This box full of toys was originally created by a young patient, Julie, who hoped to make the hospital a more fun environment. Every child gets to pick a toy from Julie’s poke box when he or she has to get a shot or ¡°get poked.¡±
Common Childhood Conditions
Here¡¯s a list of general health conditions that often affect children.
- Ear infection
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Hand, foot and mouth syndrome
- Juvenile diabetes
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Lice
- Asthma