The Children's Center for Specialized Care
(Pediatric Sub Acute Unit)
About the Children's Center
Whittier Hospital Medical Center's Children's Center for Specialized
Care (Pediatrics Sub Acute Unit) has been designed to care for children
who are too ill or technologically dependent to receive care at home.
Although these children may no longer require traditional hospital care,
they continue to need the constant supervision and services provided in
a professional "sub-acute" health care environment. The Children's
Center offers that special level of care and caring to each of its patients
- and more. Because the Center is located on the Whittier Hospital campus,
the acute-level hospital services are close at hand, should the need arise.
Most Common Pediatric Sub-Acute Medical Conditions
- Coma
- Congenital Disease
- Developmental Disabilities
- Near Drowning
- Neuromuscular Degenerative Disease
- Prematurity
- Respiratory Disease
- Spinal Cord and Head Injuries
- Tracheotomy Care
- Ventilator Dependence
- G Tube Dependent
- Birth Abnormalities
Our Facility
Our patient environment is designed for children, with brightly decorated
rooms, well-equipped group spaces and a pleasant home-like setting. Colorful
artwork, a private outdoor play courtyard and other environmental stimulation
encourage our patients to participate in activities to the extent they are able.
Our Treatment Team
Our treatment team is an interdisciplinary group of health care professionals
specially trained to meet the unique care needs of our young patients.
Each carries the appropriate licenses or credentials for their respective
positions.
The Children's Center treatment team is under the direction of our
Medical Director who is board certified in the specialties of pediatrics
and critical care. Other team members include nurses, social workers,
respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, speech and
language pathologists, special education teachers, child life specialists,
pharmacists and dietitians.
These professionals work together to create individualized health care
plans to address each child's specific problems and requirements.
They meet regularly to review the treatment plan and to evaluate each
child's progress, making adjustments as needed.
Family Support Network
Family involvement is an integral part of each patient's care and treatment-planning
process, and a key to maximizing their child's potential for recovery.
Family members are educated about the injury or disease process, and they
participate in conferences with the treatment team to keep abreast of
their child's functional status and progress. The team also helps
support family members by providing a sympathetic, supportive environment
for them to share their feelings and experiences.
Assessment and Admission
To determine a child's need for the sub-acute level of care provided
through our Children's Center for Specialized Care, a representative
from our treatment team will visit the child in the hospital to review
diagnostic test results, the patient's history and physical status.
There is no charge for this evaluation.
If the child is admitted, a supplemental assessment by the entire treatment
team will be used as the basis for developing the patient's individualized
goals and treatment plan.
Referral Procedures and Insurance
Referrals to our program may be made by calling our Social Worker at 562.907.1621.
Our no-cost evaluation should be initiated within 24 hours of the referral.
Whittier Hospital Medical Center's Children's Center for Specialized
Care is certified by Medi-Cal, and care is covered by most other public
and private insurance plans.
Named one of the best in the State for Skilled Nursing Care
We are proud of having been named of the best in the State for skilled
pediatric nursing care by the US News & World Report more than 5 years
in a row and one of the top 14 skilled nursing facilities in all of California.
The comprehensive report showed that Whittier Hospital Medical Center's
nursing staff provides four times more personal attention per resident
than the national average.
Call for Assessment and Admitting
Please call (562) 907-1621 or (562) 907-1791 or
click here for more information on the Whittier Hospital Medical Center Children's Center.
A message from the Director of the Pediatric Sub-Acute Unit
Hospital Closed for Visitation at this time
Dear Parents,
A new respiratory disease – coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) –
is spreading globally and there have been instances of COVID-19 community
spread in the United States. The general strategies CDC recommends to
prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilities are the same
strategies we use every day to detect and prevent the spread of other
respiratory viruses like influenza.
Due to the current CDC guidelines, Whittier Hospital Pediatric Subacute
will need to implement a change in our visitation policy as a preventative
measure. This will be a temporary change that will be lifted on the advice
of government and regulatory agencies. Hospital Closed for Visitation
at this time including Pediatric Sub-Acute
We are exploring alternative methods for you to be able to communicate
with your child. Please be patient with us as we try to coordinate with
HIPPA and hospital policies to safeguard you and your child’s privacy.
You can contact the Unit directly for updates at
562-907-1770 at any time.
We know that this is a difficult time and together we can help to ensure
the protection and safety of our residents. Please feel free to contact me at
562-907-1791 for any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Reinali Zabalerio,
Director of Pediatric Subacute
UPDATE: PEDIATRICS SUB-ACUTE COVID-19 CASES
Whittier Hospital's Pediatrics Sub Acute Unit provides the latest information
on COVID-19 statistics in our Unit. Please see below for current updates.
For additional information, please feel free to contact the Unit Director
by calling
562-907-1791 or email us at WHMC4U@ahmchealth.com
California Highway Patrol visits the Children's Center for Specialized Care
CBS and California Highway Patrol (CHP) visit Whittier Hospital’s
Pediatric Sub Acute Unit
Making a difference, one child at a time