Pediatric Inpatient Care

Our youngest patients benefit from the industry-leading care at MetroHealth Main Campus Medical Center’s hospital, in a setting designed especially for children.

 Our pediatric inpatient care unit provides a full spectrum of care for your child from birth through age 18. Our physicians, specialists and nurses are specially trained to care for kids. We have a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for premature and fragile babies, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and 24 pediatric inpatient beds, in single occupancy rooms, for round-the-clock care that’s focused on your child’s healing.

Treating Sudden Onset and Chronic Illness

We can treat your child in our inpatient unit for a variety of health concerns:

• Acute illnesses that come on suddenly, such as viruses, pneumonia, or a traumatic injury
• Chronic, long-term illnesses and diseases that require coordinated comprehensive care
• Recovery from burns. We care for patients who are seen in our Burn Care Center. MetroHealth is one of only two burn centers in Ohio – and the only in Northeast Ohio -- verified for the care of both adults and children by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
• Treatment for trauma. We have a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, and children with serious injuries may be admitted to either the pediatric inpatient unit or the PICU if it’s necessary to help their recovery.

Specialty Services

Specialists: We offer pediatric care in more than 15 specialty areas in our inpatient unit. Our specialists collaborate with your child’s pediatricians and other medical providers to make sure everyone works together in your child’s best interest.

Lab: Lab work is done on the unit in an area separate from the child’s room and processed in the hospital. All efforts are made by staff to reduce pain and anxiety for your child during procedures such as blood drawing.

Radiology: Radiology services (x-rays, CT scans, MRIs) available onsite within the hospital and performed by professionals who are specially trained to care for your child.

Kid-Friendly and Family-Centered

A hospital stay can be scary, stressful and disruptive to family life, no matter how short or long. Our services are designed to help lessen some of the stress on you and your child so you can focus on healing.

• Experienced Pediatric Nurses – our nurses are specially trained to care for children. Many of our nurses have Certified Pediatric Nurse status through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. When your child is admitted, they will complete an “All About You” sheet that asks about their favorite things. This helps nurses get to know your child and helps make your child feel more comfortable.
• Child Life – the Child Life and Education Program helps you and your child cope with being in the hospital. Child Life staff can help prepare your child for procedures and tests through medical play. They also help to reduce pain and anxiety through a variety of different methods when your child is having a painful procedure. Throughout a hospital stay, Child Life offers art and music therapy, a visiting librarian from Cleveland Public Library, movies and music in the rooms, and much more. Teachers are available for children who have a long-term stay to help them keep up with school work.
• Treehouse –the MetroHealth Treehouse is a safe place for your child to play indoors during their recovery.
• Family Rounds – physicians include you in daily discussions about your child’s care. Together, you, your child, and their physicians set health goals for the day. If you cannot participate in daily meetings in person, our physicians will contact you through phone calls or video chat.

Caregivers are always welcome – studies show children have a shorter hospital stay if their caregivers stay with them in the hospital. You can stay with your child 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pediatric floor offers quiet rooms for you to sleep and relax while being close to your child’s room. Ronald McDonald House regularly provides meals and snacks for parents and caregivers.