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Preparing for Your Child's Hospital Visits for Heart Disease

New experiences bring a certain amount of fear and doubt.

When a child has heart disease, many new and different things occur:

  • Office visits.
  • Exams and tests.
  • Hospital stays.

Each of us, whether child or adult, can better cope with something new when someone tells us:

  • What to expect.
  • How we can handle it.
  • Who we can turn to for help.

It's important to prepare both yourself and your child for what may happen.

The Heart Institute at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh offers ways to help you and your child get ready for your stay.

More Sources for Parents Before Their Child's Hospital Stay

Sometimes it's hard for parents to talk with their kids about issues they feel are sad and frightening, like a hospital visit. But health care professionals know children who properly prepare for a hospital stay adjust much easier to the experience.

Because hospital admissions often happen on the day of the procedure, preparing your child must start at home.

UPMC Children's Hospital can help.

Free information about coming to the hospital

Heart Institute staff members have written booklets to help you talk with your child about their hospital stay.

Call our office at 412-692-5540 to order these free booklets.

Your child's heart care team

Heart Institute doctors, nurses, and social workers are always free to talk with you about:

  • Ways to help your child get ready for their upcoming stay with us.
  • Any concerns or questions you may have about your child's hospital stay.
  • What you and your child can expect, what to bring, or anything else on your mind.

We can speak with you over the phone, or you can arrange an in-person office visit. Call us at 412-692-5540.