Wolfson Children's Hospital

My 2-year-old daughter had hernia surgery. Everything went well. The only downside was that we had to wait a bit too long before they actually took her to surgery—about 2 hours. They gave her a cold blanket, but I recommend bringing your own blanket and something for yourself as well. They provided coloring pages and crayons, but you can also bring something to keep your little one entertained while waiting. The worst part was the waiting. They told me it would be 15 to 30 minutes, but they didn’t call me until an hour later to talk to the surgeon.  I really wish someone had updated me on what was happening—I was incredibly worried. It turned out they had to switch her breathing machine while she was under anesthesia, and they also ended up repairing hernia on both sides. Then you wait again while your baby wakes up for other 30 min. Overall, the staff was very nice and professional. My only recommendation is to keep parents informed about delays. By the way, you can download an app with GPS to help you find nearby cafes while you wait. We arrived at 7:15 AM and left around 11:30 AM, so make the necessary arrangements if you have another little one at home.

The greatest problem with our hospitalization was communication and continuity of care. At times, I had to remind residents who my child was. They came in discussing tests she had never had, then said, “Oops, that isn’t her. Let me look.” Providers would also give me conflicting information within minutes. I repeatedly had to ask about the plan, medications, timing, possibilities, and what to watch for at home. Medication communication was especially concerning. Before discharge, I asked when my daughter had LAST received certain medications so I could safely determine her next doses at home. Nurse Brielle had difficulty answering and got Nurse Alanna, who became frustrated and repeatedly told me I would be starting my own regimen at home. I understood that. I simply needed her last dose times so I wouldn’t over- or undermedicate my three-year-old. Alanna told me, “I put it clear as day on the sticky note for you.” The sticky note—which I had specifically requested—listed suggested home times, which I was initially told was the hospital’s administrative times for the future. Not what had already been administered. Some medications had also been given late or required reminders from me, making clarification even more necessary. I should never feel that questions about my child’s care are an inconvenience. I am her mother. I need to know what she’s receiving, when, why, what the plan is, and what to watch for. Discharge also concerned me. I specifically asked to speak with the doctor but a nurse practitioner was brought in instead. The doctor had previously expressed concerns about discharge, and I wanted to ensure she truly felt my daughter was ready. Instead, I felt pressure to leave because there was supposedly little more they could do after switching her to oral medication following multiple failed/leaking IVs. I was the one who noticed the leaking IVs and had to ensure medication was actually being administered. I left wondering whether we should have stayed the additional night the doctor had discussed. The repeated IV attempts were extremely distressing for my three-year-old. She was screaming, sweating and so hysterical I worried she might pass out. Comments from providers like “Why are you crying?” and “It doesn’t hurt” were upsetting. Telling a frightened three-year-old something doesn’t hurt when she is clearly experiencing pain and fear is dismissive, not comforting. There were also times medication was late and I had to ask about it. On one occasion, while waiting for answers to an alarming situation from another if leakage and medication not being given on time and if we were to stay or be discharged, I walked out and saw Brielle and Alanna eating cake or something similar. Staff absolutely deserve breaks, but my child’s medication shouldn’t require reminders from her parent to be given on time. Another frustrating interaction was with an older blonde Caucasian female physician (my daughter saw a lot of different doctors during our stay and I was not provided the names at discharge and cannot remember her name unfortunately) who focused primarily on teaching residents, speaking about my daughter’s illness while barely looking at or addressing me. I eventually raised my hand just to participate in the conversation about my own child. When I asked her to explain medical terminology in language I could understand, she appeared frustrated. I don’t have her medical education—that’s exactly why clear explanations matter. There were absolutely positive experiences. Dr. Barnes was fabulous, and nurse Ella provided exceptionally compassionate care. They made both my daughter and me feel respected. I didn’t expect everything to go perfectly. I expected communication, consistency, compassion and transparency. A parent shouldn’t leave a pediatric hospitalization confused about medication timing, who provided care, or the discharge plan—or feel burdensome for asking questions. My daughter isn’t simply a patient or room number. She is my three-year-old child, and I need accurate information to keep her safe.

I absolutely love Wolfson Children’s Hospital. They saved my baby’s life at birth due to HIE, and I will never forget that. The NICU nurses deserve everything—they cared for my baby like their own and supported me during one of the hardest moments of my life. Their compassion, patience, and dedication meant more to me than words can explain. Because of them, my baby is here today, and I am forever grateful. Thank you all for being real-life angels. 🥰

I received a call from my baby's childcare center that he stopped breathing and was having convulsing during feeding. I rushed and picked my child up he didn't seem to distressed but very tired. His doctor said I needed to take him to the hospital. I proceed to come out to the hospital, got baby boy out there and he was perfectly fine with breastfeeding while I was there and using the bathroom they had me sit in a room for hours. They did a chest X-ray on him and another scan. He was fine. They then requested urine I was confused why so I asked never heard them asking for urine for any of my other children who has been there before. They said they were needing to do a urine analysis which would show if he was dehydrated and like protein and stuff in his urine and I said of course we aren't doing blood right ? And she said no and I said okay. After I finally left the hospital I got his chart and seen they never did a urine analysis like they said instead they drug tested him on 3 different panels. I can get the drug testing trust me but why didn't they also do the urine analysis? How would they know if he was dehydrated or not ? It was possible they skipped a bottle feeding and I told them that I don't know anything I just brought him here because of the distressful moment. Now they would never know if he was. Plus they then wanted to stick a needle in his arm to get the blood test told me he has to have it to be admitted and I called his dad and he said tell them no so I told her no. He's to little for that. I explained I've had my kids here before and never had this done im not having my newborn baby have a needle stuck in his arm if it isn't medically necessary. The disappointment to know they were treating this like a drug overdose or a drug withdrawal instead of a baby who had a unknown emergency is sad to me. We basically got treated like drug addicts and now a baby who had something wrong or happened that we can't explain I wasn't there. He is fine as of now and they basically believed he choked on his spit up at the childcare center. I'll think twice before I come back here again. What a disappointment as a mother to feel this unsure of the doctors now. I understand being there for the baby but you also failed to double check some of the most important things for him. Now I'll never know.