10 Steps toward Child Centered Care

	Studies show that the service experienced will be interpreted as the quality of the care.
	Experience has demonstrated that the service experienced by children will be a significant decision factor for the parent.
	Studies show women make health care provider decisions for the family.
	Studies show that the perception of quality pediatric services engenders loyalty in parents. Loyalty that exceeds that held for their own health care providers.
	It stands to reason that if you want to be the health care provider of choice for busy, young, healthy, families - you better make the mom (and the child) happy!

Where to start:

Train all staff on means of communicating w/ children.
Identify staff w/ innate talents in dealing with children.
Form a team of practitioners skilled in communicating w/ children and parents to care for all children who come to that department.
Have special technical and interactive equipment available for servicing children.
Have in each department a specific room for treating all children.
Have a Child life specialist available to your facility.
Have a ‘safe zone’ on your pediatric ward.
Have established pain control protocols w/ written policies and standard orders for various procedures.
Allow parents to stay with children during procedures.
Allow parents to stay w/ hospitalized children 24/7.