About the Children's Center
Whittier Hospital Medical Center's Pediatric Subacute Unit, "the
Children's Center," has been designed to care for children who
are too ill or who are too technologically dependent to receive care at
home. Although these children may no longer need traditional hospital
care, they continue to require a level of supervision and services that
can only be provided in a "subacute" health care environment.
The Children's Center offers that special level of care and caring
to each of its patients - and more! And because the Center is located
on the Whittier Hospital campus, 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 dependence
- birth abnormalities
Our Facility
Our environment is designed for children. We have brightly decorated rooms
and well-equipped group spaces in a 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 team member 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,
and family involvement is vital to reaching longterm health goals.
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 subacute level of care provided
through the Children's Center, a representative from our treatment
team will visit the child in the hospital to review diagnostic test results,
the patient's history, and the patient's 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.
The Children's Center at Whittier Hospital Medical Center 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 one of the top 14 skilled nursing facilities
in all of California, and one of the best in the state for skilled pediatric
nursing care by the US News & World Report more than 5 years in a
row. This comprehensive report shows that Whittier Hospital Medical Center's
nursing staff provides four times more personal attention per resident
than the national average. To learn more about our CMS 5-star rating,
visit https://www.whittierhospital.com/Clinical-Services-Programs/Pediatric-Sub-Acute-Center/News.aspx
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.
UPDATE: PEDIATRIC SUB-ACUTE COVID-19 CASES
Whittier Hospital's Pediatric Subacute 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