While Your Child Is Hospitalized

Your Health Care Team

Child Life Specialists
Child life specialistshelp patients and families adjust to hospitalization and offer the children normal play experiences. They are trained to understand children’s special needs hospitalization. Child life specialists help patients and families understand medical issues, and allow children to explore real medical equipment. They provide comfort and support during medical procedures or tests.

Pet Therapy
In some units, the family pet dog or cat may be permitted to visit you. Also, in some units, a certified dog and handler may be available to visit you. If you are interested, please ask your nurse about the Furry Friends program.

Rooming In
In most units, patient rooms are furnished with a couch, a foldout cot, or a recliner where a parent can sleep. Linens are provided. Hospital policy does not permit family members to sleep in a vacant bed. You may use the showers designated for family use on your child’s unit.

The Helen K. Rossi Volunteer Guest House including the University of Iowa Children's Hospital Family Suite, is located on the 4th and 5th levels of the south wing of General Hospital within University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The 14-room Adult Patient and Family Suite is located on fifth level and the new 16-room University of Iowa Children's Hospital Family Suite is located on the fourth level.

Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House serves as a “home away from home” for families of children who are receiving critical medical care in Iowa City. The facility is located near the hospital, and offers low cost, cooperative, living for families. A waiting list is the norm, so we recommend that you consider the Ronald McDonald House as soon as possible. No one is refused due to an inability to pay. Contact your unit’s social worker or your child’s nurse for more information.

School-Hospital Tutoring Program
A Hospital Tutoring Program for preschool through 12th grade, with a certified teacher who assists students (late-August to early-June) in continuing their educations.

Meals/Snacks

Ala Carte for inpatients and their families

Vending Areas
There are many vending areas located throughout the hospital. Please ask your nurse to direct you to the nearest one.

Local Restaurants
Several local restaurants deliver pizza and other take-out items. More information is available in family lounges and from staff members.

Kitchenette
You are welcome to bring food from home or from a restaurant for yourself and your child, unless a special diet has been ordered for your child. Refrigerators, microwave ovens, and utensils are available in all units. If you store food in the refrigerator, please mark your child’s name and the date on all items and remove them as they become outdated or when your child is discharged.

Hy-Vee Healthy Snacks
Through a generous gift, Hy-Vee Food Stores provides each pediatric patient’s family with a healthy snack each day. Two tokens per patient per day are available for you to use in a special vending machine located in the family lounge on each pediatric unit. To obtain tokens, please see your child’s nurse or the nursing unit clerk.