Dr. Tracy Lower works with an SIU team
at St. John's Children's Hospital

August 28, 2007

SIU Pediatrician Offers Advice for Your Child’s Hospitalization

Thinking about your child in the hospital is not very pleasant.  For many parents, even the thought is upsetting.  There are times, though, when hospitalization is necessary.

Children often are admitted to children’s hospitals, places were staff members are specially trained.  Subspecialists in pediatrics and surgery provide care that is not always available in every community, but who also understand the need to coordinate care with the children’s own physicians.

“Children are not just mini-adults.  They need their own toys, books, food and so on,” says Dr. Tracy Lower, associate professor of pediatrics at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and director of SIU’s pediatric hospitalist services.  “When you consider health care, the difference between children and adults is even greater.  Children need to have extra time, extra monitoring, specialized dosages of medicine and caregivers who are trained to understand their needs.”

Lower is one of three pediatric hospitalists on the SIU faculty and a member of St. John’s Children’s Hospital (SJCH) in Springfield, a joint endeavor of SIU and St. John’s Hospital.  She and the other SIU hospitalist physicians oversee the care of children during their hospital stay.  They also work with SJCH child specialists in developing a therapeutic plan for play and age appropriate activities that complement treatment and recovery plans.

There is an increasing trend of pediatricians being based in hospitals to complement care provided by a child’s primary care physician.  Since pediatric hospitalists don’t have to run busy clinics, they are more available to monitor changes in hospitalized patients’ status.  Some studies show better outcomes for patients and shorter hospitals stays.  Hospitalists care for many illnesses including infectious and respiratory illnesses, chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, and common pediatric illnesses such as influenza and dehydration.

“We are focused on providing hospital care that is comfortable and reassuring for the child and the parents,” explains Lower.  “After the child returns home, we work closely with the regular pediatrician or family practitioner on appropriate follow-up or long-term care.”

Lower suggests parents can make the hospital stay more comfortable by bringing a familiar item from home, such as a favorite stuffed animal, video or toy.

Here are some tips that Lower recommends for being an active member in the care of your hospitalized child --

• Ask your child’s nurse when your physician typically makes rounds.  Many physicians make rounds early in the morning.  Be prepared with questions and notes.
• Write down questions as you think of them.  There is no such thing as a dumb question.  Do not hesitate to have something explained again or in a different way.
• If your child has a complicated history, write a summary.  This can cut down on how often you have to “tell your story.”
• Take notes.  Fatigue and stress make it hard to remember things.

“The number one thing you can do for your child is to take care of yourself.  You need to be there for them, but you have to see to your own needs in order to do that.  Do not be afraid to ask for help, take a break or call a friend,” advises Lower.

If you are preparing your child for surgery, many children’s hospitals, like SJCH, have programs that allow you and your child to tour the facility and become acquainted with some of the staff.  Sometimes the people wearing masks and medical garb can be frightening.  If your child makes friends with these people, the day of the surgery will be much less scary.  Also explaining the surgery, what is going to happen, and that nurses and other people are always there to provide care will be helpful.

Lower adds that hospitals usually encourage staying overnight with your child so you can be near to provide comfort.  The SJCH staff knows that communicating with children and their families is a priority.

Lower serves as director of the inpatient unit at St. John’s Children Hospital.  She joined the SIU faculty in 1991 and is board certified in pediatrics.  She completed her residency and earned her medical degree at SIU (1991, 1988).  Her special practice interests are child abuse and neglect, medical education and hospital medicine.

SJCH in Springfield is accredited by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions.  More information is available at the Web site, www.sjchildrens.org.

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