Preparing for Your Stay

Be sure to bring your insurance card and any other necessary forms that may be required to process your child's hospital bill.

Phoenix Children's will contact your insurance company on admission to make sure the stay has been authorized, but keep in mind, an authorization is not a guarantee of payment. It is your responsibility to make sure you have met all the conditions required by your insurance company.  

The daily hospital rate includes general nursing care, meals, Child Life services and routine hospital supplies. There are additional charges for use of operating rooms, laboratory tests, X-rays, medications, oxygen and other special equipment and supplies.

In addition to your bill from the hospital, you may receive separate bills from your private physician or other doctors not directly employed by Phoenix Children's.

Parents are the best people to help children prepare for a hospital stay. Here are some tips for preparing your child:

Tell the truth. When answering your child's questions about surgery tell the truth. This will help your child trust you during the hospital stay.

Use child-friendly and age appropriate language. When you talk to your child about surgery and procedures it is important to use language that your child will understand. Be careful not to give too much detail.

Educate yourself. Write down and ask any questions you have. Browse our pediatric health information. For more information you may call:

• The Emily Center Family Health Library at Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus 602-933-1400
• Admitting Department 602-933-1114
• Child Life Department 602-933-2273
• Surgery Department 602-933-1596

The Child Life Department offers a preadmission tour to help prepare your child and family for the hospital experience. The 30-45 minute program is designed to familiarize children and parents with the hospital environment and offers a question and answer session. If your child is scheduled for surgery, you'll visit our surgery waiting and recovery areas. To schedule a tour, call 602-933-2273.

We have also created storybooks – also referred to as “Prep Books” to help parents feel empowered to prepare their child for their upcoming doctor’s appointments, procedures, or surgeries. Whether they are toddlers, preschoolers, or teens, these books were created with children of all ages in mind.

Your doctor may refer your child to Phoenix Children's for surgery or other procedures. Some procedures may require a hospital stay. A nurse will contact you with specific information about the procedure; at this time you may also ask specific questions. Get helpful information on preparing your child for surgery and procedures.

If your child will be going home after his or her procedure, they will need to be awake before they leave. Recovery times vary, please plan to wait one to two hours after the procedure before taking your child home. When a child is ready to be discharged, a nurse will give you instructions for your child's care at home.

Please bring a list of your child's medications and information about how much medicine your child takes, and how often. Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry or large amounts of cash.

Be sure to bring a favorite toy, blanket or other comforting item to help your child feel more secure at the hospital. A pillow or pillowcase from home may be especially comforting. Depending on your child's age, you may also wish to bring some of the following:

• Pacifier
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Pajamas, robe and slippers
• Pictures of friends or family members
• Music tapes or CDs
• Books or magazines

Even when hospitalized, children benefit from participating in daily activities that are a part of their normal routine, such as attending school. That's why Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus offers a year-round school that operates Monday through Friday. 1 Darn Cool School is available to all patients K-12.

While there is not a school onsite at Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Arrowhead Campus, school services are available via a virtual consult request. For more information, call 602-933-1706 or email onedarncoolcchool [at] phoenixchildrens.com (onedarncoolcchool[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com).

All teachers are prepared at the Master's level, and classroom volunteers have a professional schoolteacher background. Our teachers will work with your child's school to help determine your child's scholastic needs. In some cases, bedside tutoring is available to patients who are unable to visit the classroom.

Let your child's school know he or she will be admitted to Phoenix Children's. Remember to bring your child's schoolbooks and assignments with you to the Hospital, or have them sent as soon as possible. Learn more about 1 Darn Cool School.

If needed, blood for your child's treatment will be provided by United Blood Services. For other blood donation options, talk to your doctor. Sometimes a parent, relative or friend of the family chooses to donate blood for use in a child's procedure. If you choose this option, blood must be donated five working days before the procedure. For more information, call the Phoenix Children's Blood Bank at 602-933-1291. For your convenience the Blood Bank is open 24 hours a day.