Did you know that your child can receive care for pediatric cancer in Central Minnesota?

Our Pediatric Short Stay & Infusion Unit provides up to eight hours of care for children. Patients may need medical observation, but not a hospital stay. For example, the child might need the rabies vaccine or mild sedation for an MRI. This unit also offers cancer services to area children.

Why choose St. Cloud Hospital for your short stay or cancer needs?

• Registered nurses with pediatric expertise. All nurses are trained in pediatric advanced life support and emergency care of children. They provide and monitor:
  - Mild sedation for procedures, including a nurse-led nitrous program
  - Antibiotic and fluid infusion
  - Blood products
  - Chemotherapy
  - Specialized medicines, such as rabies vaccine, immune globulin, enzymes, etc.
  - Port and central line access
• Child life specialists. Our child life specialists prepare children for medical care.
• Facility designed for your child’s needs. We have private rooms with features to control the spread of germs. The area does not feel like a hospital. It has toys, books, art supplies, computers, movies and video games.
• Family support. We encourage families to join our events and advisory councils. These activities allow families to share, learn and inspire one another along their medical journeys. Call (320) 229-4923 for upcoming events.
• Behavioral health services. All children have access to our behavioral health staff. We know emotional issues can arise when learning about and treating a life-threatening or long-term illness.
• Partnership with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. For more than 10 years, we have worked with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to provide cancer and blood disorder services. A newly expanded partnership is building upon this past success. Now more children than ever before can receive care closer to home, when possible.

The following doctors see patients with cancer and blood disorders in St. Cloud:

• Margaret Heisel Kurth, MD
• Joanna Perkins, MD
• Cindy Melloy, MD
• Kathy Kulus, MD
• Thomas Schrup, MD

In 2011, Children’s Hospital was again recognized by U.S. News & World Reports as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country for cancer.

How do you set up an appointment?
Talk to your doctor or call (320) 229-4923.

How can you prepare for your appointment?

• Download a map and parking information for the CentraCare Health Plaza.
• For your first appointment, check in at Registration in the Woodlands entrance.
• Appointments take 2-4 hours in general, but it depends on your child’s needs.
• You may bring comfort items from home for your child, such as a blanket, teddy bear or pacifier.
• Talk to your insurance company about coverage of services before your appointment.
• A nurse will call you before your first appointment to prepare you for the visit and answer questions. Feel free to call us at (320) 229-4923.