It’s easy to get caught up in the phone calls, tests and other details associated with a child’s surgery and forget the emotional impact it can have on patients and their siblings. At CHOC Children’s, we are dedicated to creating an environment that allows children to feel like kids while dealing with the very grown-up issue of surgery.

 

We have developed guides for parents to use when discussing surgery (or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure) with children of a variety of different ages and their siblings:

In addition, our Child Life Department offers patients a very special “Hello Hospital” tour that allows children to see the surgical unit, as well as any other areas of the hospital they may be in while at CHOC. Reservations for the tour should be made seven to 10 days prior to the day in which the patient and family would like to visit CHOC. Read more on the Hello Hospital tour and learn how to book a tour today.