Welcome to the Heart and Kidney Unit

Visitor Policy

Parents and guardians can remain at their child’s bedside 24 hours a day, seven days a week

For all other visitors, visiting hours are from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Children under the age of ten are not allowed to visit the floor. Ask your nurse or social worker for updates on the visitor policy.

* We only allow two visitors at the bedside, however visitors can swap out as appropriate.

This is to ensure a safe environment at the bedside
Other visitors are allowed to wait in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) waiting room. The two visitors that are at the bedside can be switched at any time
Visitors are NOT allowed to eat in patient rooms, but can have covered drinks
All the rooms have a bathroom for families to use
There are also guest bathrooms across from Bear Station 4
The double rooms do share a bathroom area, please share respectfully

What to Expect

What to Expect During a Typical Heart and Kidney Unit (HKU) Day

Daily Assessments

Medications

Vital Signs

Vital signs (VS) are performed by a nurse or patient care technician. VS are obtaining blood pressure, measuring your child’s temperature, and listening and counting their heart and respiratory rate. Typically, VS are done at 12 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. Vital signs may be checked more frequently if your child is receiving special medication or needs to be more closely monitored.

Labs, X-rays or EKGs

Weight

Baths and Bed Changes

Ins and Outs

We keep track of everything your child takes in (like juice, water, formula, ice) and everything that comes out (like urine, stool)

If your child wears diapers, please do not throw the diaper in the trash. Please keep diapers so staff can weigh them. For older children and teens, we encourage the use of urinals and urine hats to accurately account for urine.
Your child's meals should be ordered from the cafeteria. You will be provided with a menu based on your child's approved diet. The cafeteria number is 202-476-1234. It takes about 45-60 minutes for the meal to be delivered. The line is open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Please make sure to place your child's dinner order before 6:30 p.m.
If you bring food from outside the hospital, please let your nurse know.
Your child may be placed on a fluid restriction. Nursing will keep track of the fluid amounts and let you know throughout the day how much fluid your child may have. There is also an “Intake and Output” sheet in every room that families can fill out to help keep track of fluids.
If your child is on a specific diet (renal, low fat, etc.) nursing will give you a specific menu on what items can be ordered for your child.

Family-Centered Rounds

Dietitian

Amenities in the Heart and Kidney Unit

Food Storage

Breast Milk

We store breast milk in a locked room on the unit. We can store it in the fridge or freezer. Due to limited space, if you have too much breast milk stored, we may ask you to take some home to make room for other families. When it is time for your baby’s feeding, your nurse or patient care technician (PCT) can bring some warmed up for you.

Breastfeeding mothers are eligible for one meal voucher per day. You can ask for a breastfeeding voucher at the front desk of the unit or talk to your nurse. Vouchers can be traded in for a meal tray or used at the 2nd floor cafeteria.

Family Waiting Room and Laundry Room

Playroom

Safety in the Heart and Kidney Unit

To maintain a safe environment for our children and families, we ask that parents and visitors follow these important guidelines:

Safety during change of shift: Nurses will be leaving/starting their shifts between 7 - 7:30. Therefore, to ensure a comprehensive "change of shift" report on your child, we ask for your help to minimize interruptions between 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. if possible.
Please do not touch the medical equipment (IV pumps, heart monitors). If there is an issue or the alarm is going off, please call your nurse for assistance.
Please notify staff when leaving your child unattended.
Keep both crib side rails up after you place your child in the crib. Side rails should be all the way up for infants and toddlers who can sit and stand up. You will hear a “click” sound when the rails are locked.
On the Heart and Kidney Unit, we encourage the safest sleep for your children. We ask that all children sleep in the hospital crib or bed, not in the chairs or on parent beds. Babies sleep safest on their backs, in empty cribs. Please remove toys, diapers and pillows from the crib when your baby is sleeping.

Learn more about sleep safety

Discharge Planning

Review important instructions you'll need to know before your child returns home from a stay in the Heart and Kidney Unit.

Learn more

Access the Patient Portal

Current patients have access to our patient portal, MyChildrensPortal, allowing you to conveniently prepare for your visit by sending messages, requesting appointments, refilling prescriptions or completing school forms and referrals. You can also check lab results and stay up-to-date on preventive care such as flu shots. The portal can be accessed anytime through your smartphone, tablet or computer.

View the portal

Additional Support Resources

Children's National offers a range of resources for patients and families receiving medical care in the Heart and Lung Center.

Learn more

Nominate an Outstanding Nurse for the Daisy Award

The nurses at Children's National are trained to provide compassionate care for young patients. If you received exceptional care during your hospital stay, nominate your child's nurse for the Daisy Award.

Learn more