Before Your Stay
While at Le Bonheur, you’ll be able to be with your child at all times. We’ll do everything we can to help make you and your child feel comfortable and at home.
What to Bring
- A favorite pillow or blanket, stuffed animal and anything else that reminds your child of home.
- Any books, movies, game devices or other entertainment. We also offer movies, TV and a variety of gaming systems.
- Loose comfortable clothing for your child
- Toiletries to help your family feel at home. Basic toiletries are available at the hospital.
- Any laptops, cell phones, music players or other devices you’ll find useful, and chargers for your devices. Wireless internet (WiFi) is available for free throughout the hospital.
- Speak with your child's teachers before his/her hospital stay. We have teachers on-site to prevent patients from falling behind on school work.
During Your Stay
The best thing you can do to help your child during your stay is to be with him or her and involved in your child's care. Patient rooms have space for up to two adults to sleep in the room. During your stay, you’ll be able to:
- Go with your child for tests and procedures
- Participate as a member of the health care team by providing valuable details about your child during bedside handoff
- Feed and bathe your child, put your child to bed at night, change diapers and remain by your child’s side
- Research your child’s diagnosis with the help of an educator through the Le Bonheur Club Family Resource Center
Taking Care of Yourself
To take the best possible care of your child, you need to take care of yourself. Here are a few tips from our staff, volunteers and families:
- Get enough sleep and eat well while your child is in the hospital. Take breaks from your child’s room or the hospital when needed.
- Wash your hands frequently to avoid the spread of any illnesses.
- Seek help and support from family, friends and members or your community. Visitors are welcome in your child’s room anytime.
- Consider keeping a journal to document your experience, track your child’s care, and write down questions or concerns for your child’s care team.
More Ways We Can Help
Le Bonheur offers a comprehensive guide (pdf) to your stay (Spanish version) that includes information about hospital amenities, your child's care team and more. Guides can be found in each patient room and are yours to keep.
Your Experience
Our hope is that your child’s stay with us exceeds your expectations. However, if you have questions or concerns, please speak with your child’s nurse first. If there is a problem that is not being resolved, ask to speak with the nursing leader on your floor or unit or the Le Bonheur patient advocate. Our patient advocate serves as a liaison between the staff and families and can assist in problem resolution. The patient advocate can be reached at 901-287-6350.
Going Home
As your child gets better, we’ll work with you and your family to prepare for a safe return home. Your child’s nurse will talk with you about any home care needs, at-home medications and follow-up visits with the doctor. The nurse will also tell you who to call if you have any questions or problems at home.
After the doctor says your child can go home, discharge orders will be written, and a patient care assistant will help you prepare to leave. Bring loose, comfortable clothes for your child to wear home. Please make all transportation, work or child care arrangements before the day of discharge. A member of our Safe Kids Mid-South team will even install or check your child’s car seat for you to ensure a safe trip home.
If your child’s doctor has prescribed medicines for your child to use after leaving the hospital, you may pick them up at the Le Bonheur outpatient pharmacy or your preferred pharmacy.
After you get home, you might have questions regarding your medical record or your bill. Inpatient families are now able to access their child's medical record online and will receive information about how to do so upon discharge.
Places to Stay near Le Bonheur
Every patient room at Le Bonheur is private, with enough space for two family members to spend the night. We encourage parents or caregivers to stay with their child at all times. However, sometimes it may be necessary to have additional accommodations away from the hospital. FedExFamilyHouse provides housing for out-of-town Le Bonheur patients and families, and several Memphis-area hotels offer special rates for Le Bonheur families.
