Reduce Infection Risk During Stay

If the immune system is not working well because of disease or treatments (such as drugs for treating cancer), your child’s body may have a hard time fighting off infection. Your child’s physician may recommend certain safeguards to help provide additional protection against infection.

Tips for Reducing Infection Risk

• Wagons and/or tricycles must be cleaned with hospital disinfectant before and after use. There is disinfectant on the unit.
• Wear a mask when outside the pediatric hem/onc unit, unless the physician has approved that a mask is no longer necessary. Masks are not generally needed at home.
• Especially during times of construction, masks must be worn when coming to and leaving from clinic visits, outpatient procedures, etc.
  Note: a single mask is only good for 20 minutes.
• Some activities that are provided for patients in the hospital involve group interaction outside of the pediatric hem/onc unit. Your child’s physician must give approval for participation in these activities.
• Crowded public places or large gatherings should be avoided. Also, stay away from dusty outdoor environments and areas where dust is generated by lawn or construction equipment.
• Your child should not have their temperature taken rectally or be given rectal medications. The rectum contains many bacteria; placing anything into the rectum can cause tears that can lead to bacteria getting into the bloodstream
• Access to the outdoor smoking areas is not permitted, with or without a parent.

Toys and Pets

• In general, toys should be made of easily cleanable materials and should be cleaned on a regular basis and when they get dirty.
• Stuffed animals and toys should be limited. Only new, washable stuffed toys should be given to you/your child.
• Do not accept stuffed animals that have been used by another child, even if they look clean or may have been washed.
• Do not share personal items and toys.
• Pets must be kept very clean. If not kept clean, pets may be become a source of infection. Please take special precautions to avoid all reptiles, including frogs and turtles.
• Your child should not clean up after pets, clean aquariums, cat liter boxes, fish bowls or birdcages.

Flowers and Plants

• Fresh flowers and plants can provide a place for insects, bacteria and/or mold to grow. These can be dangerous to your child when they’re at risk for infection. Therefore, these are not allowed in the hospital units. It is also best to not have contact with plants in the home.
• Artificial plants and flowers are also discouraged in the hospital because they attract dust and are difficult to keep clean.

Special Considerations During Hospitalization

• When storing your child’s food in the refrigerator, please use the labels provided by the hospital (located in the pantry area next to the refrigerator).
  — Labels must state: patient’s name, room number, date, time food was placed in the refrigerator and content.
• Please avoid sending sibling, family members or friends to the pantry refrigerator for juice, milk or other drinks. Please ask your nurse to help you instead.