Your Child's Stay

A hospital can be an overwhelming place. At Lutheran General Children's Hospital, we work to create an environment that is warm and more comfortable for our young patients. Our bright, cheery surroundings, family-centered accommodations, and child-focused activities and services help to minimize the stress that can accompany any hospital stay. Separate pediatric and adolescent units allow children and adolescents to relax in age-appropriate recreation areas and enjoy special programs geared toward their own age group.

Pediatric Unit
Our pediatric rooms are private and comforting, with cheerful decors that create a more home-like atmosphere. Each room has private showers and amenities to accommodate parents' overnight stays.

Additionally, the pediatric unit's wonderful playroom provides a comforting, non-threatening environment for free play and exploration. During their stay, children can also relax with a movie or enjoy toys and games found in the unit's toy closet.

Adolescent Unit
A separate adolescent unit has been designed for teenage and young adult patients (ages 10 - 21) and their families. The unit features single and double rooms, and a recreation room, offering games, activities, videos and music, so teens have a place to relax, socialize and even have some fun.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
The pediatric intensive care unit is a special area for the care of seriously ill or injured children, from birth to 18 years of age. A self-contained nine-bed unit, the PICU provides advanced care with a family centered focus. Children and teens in the PICU also benefit from age-appropriate activities adapted to their abilities, along with support and assistance provided by Child Life specialists.

Pre-Surgical Tour
Parents and families play an important role in the care of a sick child. We make every effort to integrate the child's family into the surgical management process and to provide a supportive, healing environment. The pre-surgical tour provides children ages 3-9, and family an opportunity to visit the operating room and meet with medical staff prior to a scheduled procedure. This special tour allows children to become more familiar and comfortable with the surgical environment, helping ease their anxiety. Children scheduled for a pre-surgical tour will also participate in a medical play session.

Click here for information on pre-surgical tours offered for adolescents and young adults.

Helping Your Child Heal

Comprehensive Child Life and Teen Life Program
Certified therapists and specially trained volunteers use therapeutic play and fun-filled activities to promote healing, reduce the anxiety associated with illness and help children and teens adjust to the emotional challenges of hospitalization and treatment.

Pediatric Playroom
The pediatric playroom at Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital is a unique play space created to encourage interactive play. This spacious, well-equipped playroom captivates and stimulates the imagination, while providing a safe haven where medical procedures are never performed. Park-bench seating, birdhouses, plants and large windows incorporated in the design provide an enchanting atmosphere.

Because play is so beneficial for a child, pediatric patients are offered the opportunity to participate in group activities as well as enjoy free play and exploration. Each weekday morning, from 10:30 a.m. until noon, the playroom hosts a different specialized activity supervised by a Child Life specialist. These daily activities are developmentally appropriate for a diverse age group, and parents are welcome to join in, or take some time for themselves.

The playroom is open to all young patients who are not medically restricted, including those with IV's, in wheelchairs or in beds. Children unable to leave their rooms can often participate in activities from their room, with the assistance of a volunteer. Room-bound patients also receive afternoon visits from Child Life staff members as well as Child Life student interns.

Pediatric and Parent Movie Library
Pediatric patients and their families can relax and unwind with a movie from the vast video library available through the Child Life program. We offer an extensive selection of movie titles that appeal to all ages and interests, as well as a section just for parents. Our movies, generously donated by community members and organizations, can be enjoyed in the comfort and privacy of the patient's room, as each room is equipped with its own VCR.

Teen Lounge
The teen lounge is a recreational area where teens and young adults can escape the hospital atmosphere and relax, socialize with fellow patients and enjoy age appropriate activities and entertainment. Numerous forms of entertainment are found in the teen lounge, including:

• Video games
• Computers
• Stereo
• Pool table
• Pinball
• Keyboard
• Guitar
• Books
• Magazines
• Puzzles and more

A craft closet and game cabinet are also available to patients and their families.

Teen Movie Library
Adolescent patients are invited to take advantage of an expansive video library, featuring more than 300 titles geared toward teens and young adults. Movies can be enjoyed in the comfort of one's room, as each room is equipped with a VCR.