Feel confident about going home.

Be sure you take the time you need to go through any necessary care instructions, including treatments and feeding routines, with your child’s nurses and other members of the care team before you leave the hospital.

Do you understand everything? If not, ask questions. Clarify any doubts. Practice in front of the care team. Record a video on your phone for easy reference. And remember, you can do this.

Keep contact information for all members of your care team in one place, in case of emergency.

Familiarize yourself with the medications prescribed, including dosage and administration instructions.

Will any of the medications affect bedtime? Study time? Can the medications be taken together? If you’re unsure, ask.

Also, ensure you have a sufficient supply and know when and how to administer each dose.

Are there any special instructions or modifications needed for your child in their day-to-day living at home? For example, will your child need any mobility aids, or any home safety precautions, or dietary restrictions? Be sure to ask your child’s care team.

Also ask for suggestions on where you may go to pick up any of these items.

Prepare for conversations with family and friends about your child’s condition and recovery process. Discuss how visits will work, including any specific guidelines or restrictions.

Another thing to consider: think about how you will address questions about your child wearing masks or when others are required to wear masks.

Make sure you write down upcoming doctor's appointments, their locations, and any necessary tests or procedures. Either on paper or on your phone calendar.

Ensure you have the date and time of the next appointment.

If you manage your child’s health, you can request access to their MyChart account. This is called proxy access. 

Once you have proxy access, you can use your child’s MyChart account to connect with your child’s care team, get cost estimates, learn about financial assistance and payment plans, pay medical bills, request prescription refills, schedule appointments, view test results — even conduct a telehealth visit.

Note: The amount of health information parents and guardians can access, however, depends on the age of their child due to Michigan state privacy laws. Parents and guardians have full access to their children’s health information in MyChart from birth through the age of 12.