We provide patient and family-centered care through a healing environment, alternative comfort measures and a philosophy that supports patients and their families.

Research reveals that nature is the number-one means of relaxation. The Children's Center's outdoor decor brings nature inside. Our patients experience a Northwoods summer camp—they wait for their doctor at the "swimming hole" and stay overnight in "cabins." Children can have fun in a camp theme playroom, and receive their own water bottles or animal hand puppets.

Adults and children alike appreciate patient rooms with personal storage space, laptop computer desk with Internet hookup, a TV/VCR and overnight guest beds. The Family Birthing Center has labor/delivery and postpartum rooms and quiet time every day from 2-4 p.m.

We offer alternative comfort measures such as aromatherapy, guided imagery and visits from a therapy dog and its handler.

Our Children's Bill of Rights serves as a guide for caring for children throughout St. Cloud Hospital. This philosophy encourages families to learn about their child's condition and take an active role in their child's care. We can achieve the best outcomes through families and health care professionals working together.

Children's Bill of Rights
CentraCare Health System values you and your family. There are five guiding principles children can expect from us as we provide quality health care:

Respect

• We will listen to you.
• We will call you by your name.
• We will honor your privacy.
• We will honor you/your family's beliefs and practices

Information Sharing

• You can ask questions if you don't understand what is happening to you.
• We will explain things to you. We will tell you what we are doing to you and why we are doing it.
• Information about you and your family will not be given out without you or your parent's permission.
• You can know all the people who are taking care of you and ask questions of them.
• We will speak in a way that you can understand.

Collaboration

• You can ask for something to make pain feel better.
• You can help decide how you want to be taken care of (choose where you want to have a shot or which ear will be looked at first).
• You can ask for help or guidance.
• You will be taken care of by doctors, nurses and other people who know about children.
• You can have a parent or adult stay with you during exams to help you feel safe and comfortable.

Family -to-Family Support

• You can have family and friends with you as much as possible.
• You can have play activities for children your age.
• You can have your mom, dad or other family members help take care of you.
• We will help you to feel safe and free from harm.

Confidence Building

• You can let people know how you feel (mad, scared, lonely).
• It's OK to cry or complain or laugh.
• You can wear your own clothes as much as possible.
• You can bring things from home to make your stay more comfortable.
• You can have time to play, learn and rest.