rights & responsibilities

Your Child Has the Right to the Best Care

Kid’s Bill of Rights

What we think children in the hospital would like all of us to know and do. 

Please:

• Look at me and talk to me in a way I can understand.
• Knock on my door before entering and please introduce yourself.
• Be honest with me … always.
• Offer me a choice whenever possible.
• Communicate with my parents. If they feel less anxious, it will help me a lot.
• Tell me what you are going to do before you do it.
• Try to make time for play—it is an important part of my day.
• Remember to respect me by letting me show my feelings. They are part of me and I need to be allowed to express them. Also hugs often help me feel better.

Please don’t:

• Tell me “it won’t hurt” if it will.
• Tell me “don’t cry.”
• Forget to listen to me when I have something to say.
• Forget that I want my favorite toy to go along with me to different places in the hospital.

A Bill of Rights for Keeping Kids Comfortable

Remember that kids have the right to:

• Communicate when they have pain. We understand that children may do this differently than adults.
• Have a parent or supportive adult stay with them during procedures. We understand that separation is difficult, and a parent’s presence is comforting and healing.
• Receive medication to relieve pain, in a timely fashion. We want children to be free of pain whenever possible.
• Cry, laugh or be mad if it helps them feel better. We understand how children communicate on different age levels.
• Have a pacifier, blanket, favorite music or a familiar toy to help comfort them. We understand children have special comfort needs.
• Receive praise for going through difficult situations. We encourage positive reinforcement for children.
• Have pain prevented whenever possible. We encourage patients and families to ask about pain prevention.
• Have a plan for pain management following discharge. We know that pain can come and go.

Know Your Patient Rights

As a recipient of federal assistance, Cohen Children’s does not exclude, deny benefits to or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities.

Aggressive Behavior

Our hospital is a healing environment. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. Examples of aggressive behavior include:

• physical assault and aggressive acts
• intimidation and verbal harassment
• abusive language
• sexual language directed at others
• threats (direct or indirect)

There is zero tolerance for all forms of aggression. Incidents may result in removal from this facility and prosecution. Our administration is committed to maintaining a professional and caring work environment for our team members. Thank you for respecting their right to an abuse-free workplace.

Your Role While Your Child Is Hospitalized (for the Parent/Caregiver)

When your child must stay in the hospital, your work schedule and family life may be disrupted. In addition to rearranging daily activities, you may feel anxious or depressed. It is just as important to prepare yourself for a hospital stay as it is to prepare your child. Here’s how:

1. Gather as much information as you can about your child’s medical condition and treatment. Jot down a list of questions to ask your child’s healthcare team. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• What and when should I tell my child about the procedure?
• How long will the procedure take, and how long will my child remain in the hospital?
• May I stay with my child during the procedure? May I sleep in the hospital overnight?
• Will my child be in pain? If so, what will be done to alleviate the pain?
• How long will it be before my child can return to school and activities?
• Where can I find more information on my child’s condition, operation or procedure?
• What community or hospital resources are available for my child’s recovery and/or rehabilitation?
• What are my child’s rights?
• What medications are my child being prescribed?
• Will my child need physical therapy or home healthcare?

2. Talk to your child’s doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other caregivers about your child’s personality and past healthcare experiences. You know your child best, so be sure to mention any fears your child has about needles or other procedures, and find out how caregivers will deal with those fears.

3. Find out how you can be involved in your child’s care while in the hospital. You may be able to feed, bathe or change bandages. If your child is an infant, find out how often you will be able to hold and talk to your baby.

4. Help your child cope with the hospital stay, particularly if your child will be undergoing painful or frightening procedures. You may want to practice these with your child before and during the stay:

• breathing deeply
• counting backwards
• holding hands
• pretending to blow out birthday cake candles
• singing
• telling stories
• thinking about happy times and places

5. Take care of yourself. A child’s hospitalization is a stressful time for your family. You can help ease the tension by making sure you stay calm and focused. Here are some tips to help you relieve stress:



• Take turns spending the night in your child’s room with your spouse, close relative or friend.
• Talk with family and friends about concerns you have.
• Exercise regularly. Go to a gym, take exercise classes or work out at home. If you are spending entire days at a time at the hospital, ask a nurse or child life specialist if someone can stay with your child while you take a break. Then walk around the hospital or go outside and walk.
• Our holistic nurse provides chair massages and Reiki for parents and caregivers in Room 228. Please call 516-470-3169 for appointment availability.