Frequently Asked Questions about Psychiatric Hospitalization

Q: How long will my child need to be hospitalized?

A: Length of stay varies depending on the progress of the patient and family. The case coordinator will keep you informed regarding changes in your child’s length of stay.

Q: Will my child be safe on the unit?

A: All patients are closely supervised 24 hours a day and are frequently assessed for the need for higher levels of supervision.

Q: Can I stay with my child?

A: Due to safety, confidentiality, and space we are not able to have parents stay with their child on the unit.

Q: How do I get in touch with my child?

A: Patients do not have telephones in their rooms. Patients can make one phone call a day.

Staff monitors all calls. In order to protect confidentiality, parents will have a personal patient identification number to utilize when calling to talk to their child or check on their status. Parents should feel comfortable calling our unit at any time to share concerns.

Q: Will my child be talking to or visiting with his/her friends while in the hospital?

A: To maintain confidentiality and encourage families to work on treatment goals, we encourage phone calls and visits to be with patient and legal guardians/immediate family members.

Q: Will my child automatically receive medications during his/her hospitalization?

A: Any medications prescribed by the psychiatrist would only be recommended after an evaluation. Medication is often needed for the effective treatment and stabilization of psychiatric conditions. You as a parent/guardian are a part of the team and the psychiatrist and/or nurse will call you to obtain consent for medications. It is your legal right to be involved in all decisions regarding psychiatric medications and treatment while your child is under our care. Parents need to sign or give a witnessed verbal consent before the medication is given to a patient.

Q: What will my child’s typical day be like?

A: A typical day will include psychiatric medical rounds, various groups and activities, including individual therapy/family therapy, and group therapy. Patients may also participate in recreational entertainment at the Michael Fux Family Center under the supervision of the behavioral health techs.

Q: What behavioral intervention will be used with my child?

A: Staff uses a collaborative problem solving approach when dealing with patients. This focuses on children and adults working together to develop mutually satisfactory solutions to problems.

Q: Do parents/guardian need to attend therapy during the hospitalization?

A: Family therapy sessions are an integral part of the program. It is vital for family members to participate in these sessions as part of their child’s treatment. In-patient psychiatry stresses a family approach towards the setting and attainment of goals. These family sessions are also used to determine the patient’s readiness for discharge and ability to communicate effectively with the family members.

Q: What happens if my child has a medical problem during the hospital stay in the psychiatry unit?

A: The psychiatrist , nurse practitioner, or medical doctor will assess your child’s medical status through the use of nursing assessments, history and physical exam, lab work (including urine screen and blood screen), and other medical tests as deemed necessary. Results will be discussed with parents. If your child needs serious medical attention, he/she will be admitted to the medical floor.

Q: What if I have any concerns regarding my child’s treatment?

A: Please feel free to contact the team for any concerns. You may contact the unit manager if necessary at 305-666-6511 ext. 1075.