What to Expect for Surgical Procedures During COVID-19

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we asked many of our families to postpone procedures. Now, with support from local health officials, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is starting to schedule many of the delayed procedures.

We understand that many families have concerns about coming to the hospital during these uncertain times. We want to let you know that we continue to provide high-quality care to our patients, families, and community. We are in constant contact with local health officials to monitor COVID-19. Your safety and your child’s safety remain our top priority.

Thank you for choosing us to take care of your child. We are here to work with you and support you every step of the way. Knowing what to expect can help make things go smoothly on the day of your child’s procedure.

How we will keep you and your child safe

Packard Children’s has made many changes in the last few months to prevent the spread of infections, so you may notice some differences. Here are things we are doing to keep your family safe in the hospital and to reduce the spread of infection.

• Limit the number of people coming into the hospital. We changed our visitor policy to limit the number of people in the hospital and at the bedside. Only one caregiver is allowed at the bedside for each child. No other visitors are allowed.
• Complete health checks. Upon entering the hospital, the information desk will ask you if you have any COVID-19 related symptoms. Please let your child’s nurse know if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms during your child’s stay at Packard Children’s.
• Provide masks for patient and caregiver. We ask that everyone wear a mask. This can help prevent the spread of germs. Our team has a mask for you.
• Do video visits instead of in-person visits. To make sure that we follow all social distancing rules, care teams may have a video visit with your family before the procedure. We can do this using the iPad in the room or your smartphone, mobile device, or computer.
• Discharge planning. The care team will work with your family when you are ready to leave the hospital. Information will be provided about safe ways to return home with your child. This will help lower the risk of COVID-19 infection and help in recovery.
• Take extra care with cleaning. We regularly clean our rooms and common spaces. Due to concerns around COVID-19, we are cleaning these spaces more often and taking extra time. While you are here, you might see more of our housekeeping team around the hospital.
• Special units for COVID-19 patients. We have a unit set aside for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Having this space reduces the spread of infection and helps families to heal in this difficult time.

Coming to the Hospital

Health checks at the front desk

We do health checks at the entrances of both Main and West buildings. Everyone who enters the hospital is checked for COVID-19 related symptoms, such as:

Keeping space between you and others

Social distancing is when you put physical space between you and other people. Keeping 6 feet (2 meters) of space between you and others is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection. During your stay, you may notice fewer members of your child’s care team visiting you in person. Your care team may talk to you by phone or through video visits.

You may also notice that when a provider comes into the room, he or she will stand farther away from you. This is to make sure that the provider maintains the right physical distance. We want to make sure that your child has the best medical care possible, but not everything can be done at a distance. The team will do physical exams when they need to, but they will use precautions to minimize exposure to infection.

Wearing masks in the hospital

At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we will ask that you and your child wear a mask while you are here.

• Get a mask from the front desk. We have masks for you upon arrival at the hospital. If your child is able to, the care team will ask him or her to wear a mask as well. We know that cloth masks or covers are common when you are outside of your home. Our care team will ask you to wear one of the masks provided by Packard Children’s.
• Wear your mask at all times around other people. You may remove your mask when you are in your child’s room after his or her procedure. Masks will be required if you leave the room or visit common areas like hallways, elevators, the cafeteria, and the lobby.
• Ask your nurse for a new mask if you need one. If your mask gets dirty, wet, or damaged, ask your child’s nurse for a new one.

What to expect guide

You can find all this information in our Guide to Having Surgical Procedures During COVID-19 brochure: