What to Expect When You Come to ACH

What will I see?

One of the first things you'll see when you enter Arkansas Children's Hospital is the mobile in the lobby. The mobile is decorated with fun things and everyone likes to watch it move up and down and side to side. Scattered around the ACH campus are large crayon signs to help you find your way. You will see a lot of bright colors, pictures and fun artwork on the walls. You will also see a lot of people. Many people work in the hospital and they're all here to help you. You might even see a teacher who will help you with your school work.

How will I feel?

Some kids feel like staying in bed and getting a lot of rest. Some kids feel like going to the playroom. Some kids feel like eating and others don't. Every patient feels differently and wants to do different things. How ever you feel, we do our best to make sure you feel better and enjoy your hospital stay as much as possible.

What is there to play with?

Bedside or in the playroom, there are toys, games and activities for ALL ages. A favorite is the video game systems. You can play games or work puzzles. You can draw, paint or build something out of play-doh. We also have lot of colors, markers, glitter and glue available for all kinds of neat art projects. There's even an aquarium with pretty fish!

Plus, ACH has an animal assisted therapy program called T.A.I.L.S (Therapeutic Animal Intervention Lifts Spirits). Through the program, you will have the opportunity to interact with specially trained dogs! They visit the hospital's main playroom, Camp Wannaplay, once a week and will even make visits to individual patients' rooms on physicians referral.

Where will I play?

If you feel like playing, there are several playrooms in the hospital. Three times a day during the week there is a supervised play session for you to attend in Camp Wannaplay. Camp Wannaplay is also supervised two times a day on the weekends. Here you can enjoy fun activities and meet other kids in the hospital. If you are an infant or toddler, you can go to the Infant/Toddler Playroom which has a special waterbed just for little ones. There is a Teen Room for those 12 and older which has a pool table, stereo, comfy couch and fun games and activities for teens. There are also specialized playrooms for patients in the Heart Center, and other medical units in the hospital.

What will my room look like?

Whether you have a roommate or a private room, you will have a T.V., telephone, bathroom and a window with a view. Most rooms have special TVs with movies to watch, video game systems, DVDs for you to watch, and sometimes even a computer by your bed. In the intensive care units, there are special chair beds for someone to stay in the waiting rooms, and sometimes, in the room with you. All the rooms are close to the nurses desk but if you need to call your nurse, you can push the nurse call button and let them know what you need.

What will I eat?

We have a lot of good things to eat! You can choose hamburgers, chicken strips, spaghetti, pizza and other favorites from the daily menu. Special foods can also be ordered for patients who can only eat certain things.

What will I wear?

Most patients wear hospital pajamas. We have yellow, green, blue and white with blue shapes, but it's your size that determines what color pajamas you wear. Some patients bring their favorite pajamas from home. And don't forget to keep your feet warm with some hospital footies!

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