When Your Child Is in the Hospital

Hospital stays can be stressful for you and your child. That's why the pediatricians and specially trained nurses at Texoma Medical Center's (TMC) Pediatric Unit work to help children get better and maintain good health as an infant, growing child or teen. Pediatric rooms are equipped with a sleep chair for parents so they are never far from their child.

Pediatric Services

Services provided to children at Texoma Medical Center include:

  • Newborn nursery
  • Newborn cardiology screenings for suspected heart issues
  • Phototherapy (light therapy used to treat jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, in infants)
  • IV therapy
  • Respiratory therapy
  • Video EEG monitoring
  • Pain management
  • General surgical services
  • Ear, nose, throat care
  • Sleep studies

Child Life Program

Our Child Life Specialist takes care of the emotional, psychological and developmental needs of pediatric patients. She provides coping support during medical experiences to reduce the child's levels of stress and anxiety.

Learn more about our Child Life Program →

Parents' Guide To the Pediatric Unit

When your child has a hospital stay at TMC, we want to make the process as comfortable as possible for the entire family. Below is basic information on rules and what to expect when your child is in the hospital.

  • Children do better if they have a familiar, comforting caregiver around during hospitalization.
  • A responsible adult must stay with your child for the safety, comfort and reassurance of the patient. Sleep chairs are provided. One caregiver meal will be sent during mealtimes for parents of children under 12 years old
  • Because it’s important to weigh small children daily when they are ill, your child will be weighed each morning before breakfast.
  • If a child has a fever or an infectious disorder, he or she will be required to stay in their room.
  • Visitors, such as siblings, are encouraged, but in moderation and before bedtime.
  • We will be assessing your child frequently. Heart rates, breathing and temperature will be taken using the most accurate methods possible which may not always seem convenient.
  • There is a patient refreshment room located near the nursing desk. Storage of patient snacks is available, but snacks brought from outside must be labeled with the patient’s name and a date after you check with your child’s nurse to be sure that snacks don’t conflict with a medically prescribed diet. To prevent contamination, once food has entered a patient’s room, it may not go back into the refrigerator or in the patient refreshment room.
  • Texoma Medical Center stocks most of the common brands of infant formula. Please inform the nursing staff of any special needs.
  • Breastfeeding mothers may store milk in sterilized containers in the refrigerator. All milk must be labeled with the child’s name and the date it was refrigerated.
  • We understand if you need to be away from your child when treatments such as the drawing of blood or the start of an IV are required.

Get a Physician Referral

If you need a referral to a pediatrician or other physician at Texoma Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 1-903-416-3627.