Children’s at Meridian Mark

Sadly, we’ve already had to use Children’s at Meridian Mark three times for our two-​year-​old. He’s had three surgeries at this facility, but each experience has gone as well as can be hoped for under the circumstances because the staff is excellent.
The waiting room is bright and spacious, and even at ungodly early hours of the morning, the numerous check-​in desks are staffed with smiling faces and an abundant collection of stickers. We’ve never had to wait more than a few seconds before checking in with our son. And after that step is completed, you can either catch a few zzz’s in a chair or allow your child to play in the little play area that is set up for children ranging from babies, to toddlers, to teens. They also have private restrooms in the waiting area, and those are equipped with changing tables.
From the waiting area you are led back to a pre-​screen room where a nurse takes your child’s temperature and asks general questions. The nurse then leads you into a private pre-​surgery room, where your child will change into a tiny little hospital gown. The private rooms are stocked with toys and a television, so no worries about your kiddo getting bored.
While waiting in the pre-​surgery room, you will meet with a member of your child’s anesthesia team and with your child’s surgeon, and you will be attended to by one or two nurses. The nurses are warm and cheerful, and at some point before your little one is taken back for his or her procedure, they will allow your child to select a special toy from a large toy cabinet. My son still plays with his stuffed dolphin, plastic dinosaur, and little bathtub boats.
Once your child is in the operating room, you are taken to the post-​surgical waiting area, where you are again given a private room to wait on your child, who will join you after being monitored in the recovery area. The post-​surgical area has vending machines, a coffee machine, and restrooms, along with a television and sink in each room.
Watching your child emerge from anesthesia isn’t fun, but the nurses help you in any way that they can — from helping you hold your child, to getting juice and cookies for older children, or Pedialyte or formula for younger babies who might need it. And once the nurses are comfortable with your child’s state of consciousness, and once you are comfortable with all of your post-​surgery instructions, you are quickly on your way home!