Before Coming to the Hospital

Child Life Orientation and Tour

This orientation for children and families is free of charge. The Child Life Therapist uses a special teaching puppet to let your child know what to expect. Children also have the chance to learn about and handle medical equipment and tour the Surgery Unit. Programs designed for different groups are available at different times:

Ages 3-6: Saturdays at 10 am
Ages 7 to 12: Monday evenings at 6:30 pm

Individual orientations are available for teens 13 and older, children younger than three, or children who will be staying overnight after surgery. To sign up for an orientation with the Child Life Department call (727) 767-4323 or 1-800-456-4543 x74323.

Pre-Admission Appointment

Your doctor's office will tell you if you need to make a pre-admission appointment. Your doctor's office may schedule this for you, or you can make an appointment by calling the Pre-Admission Testing office at (727) 767-8561 or 1-800-456-4543 x78561 between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Even if your child does not need x-rays or tests, you are still welcome to call and make an appointment to come in and see our Surgery Unit.

A pre-admission appointment usually takes place within the week before surgery. A nurse meets with you and asks questions about you child's medical history. She will give you information about the surgery and can answer any questions you may have. If tests or x-rays have been ordered by your child's doctor, they will be done at the end of your appointment. Your child must have a medical history and a physical examination before surgery. Your child's doctor may do this, or a nurse practitioner may do it.

Pre-Admission Telephone Consultation

The Pre-Admission Testing Nurse will call you in advance of the surgery to give you information and review your child's medical history. You will also receive a call the day before the surgery with your arrival time and instructions on when to stop giving foods and liquids to your child.

You can also get this information by calling Pre-Admission Testing directly at (727) 767-8561 or 1-800-456-4543 x78561 and choose options 4, 5 and 6 for pre-recorded information or option 7 to speak with a nurse.