• About Holy Cross Hospital
• Our services
• Health information
• Classes and events
• Find a physician
• For patients & visitors
• Online bill payment
• Online nursery
• Career opportunities
• For physicians
• For our staff
• Ways to give
• Media
• e-Newsletter
• Virtual tour

Pediatric Services
Pediatric Surgery

Children and their families can conveniently access a Children’s National Medical Center pediatric surgeon at Holy Cross Hospital. We offer surgical evaluation and outpatient surgeries, supported by fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologists and pediatric radiologists.

Pediatric patients will be cared for pre- and post-operatively on the pediatric care center located on the eighth floor of Holy Cross Hospital. If a child must remain in the hospital overnight, a sleeper chair will be provided for one parent to spend the night. Testing and preparation for pediatric same-day surgeries vary slightly from those for adults. The following guidelines apply:

• A pediatrician must complete a history and physical for children 12 years and under.
• Patients 13 years and older may have their history and physical conducted by their pediatrician or in Holy Cross Hospital’s ambulatory care center. To make an appointment at the hospital, please call 301-754-7290.
• A copy of the child’s history and physical must be faxed to the pediatric unit at 301-754-7609 prior to 72 hours of the scheduled procedure or surgery.
• Lab tests usually are not required for pediatric patients unless specifically ordered by their pediatrician. If lab tests are required, the results must be faxed to the pediatric unit at 301-754-7609 72 hours prior to the surgery.
• Parents may donate blood for their child. They should contact the Holy Cross Hospital blood bank information line at 301-754-7337 at least 10 days before surgery.
• If you are a foster parent or the legal guardian of the child having surgery, you must bring legal documents with you to the hospital verifying your relationship to the child.

Accompanying your child
One parent may be present during your child’s anesthesia induction. Both you and your child may find it comforting if you remain in the room while anesthesia is being initiated.

The child must be 18 months or older, and the surgeon and anesthesiologist must agree the parent can be present.

Guidelines for Your Child’s Same-day Procedure or Surgery

• Arrive two hours before the procedure, but no earlier than 6:30 a.m.
• Parent or legal guardian must sign a consent for treatment and a surgical consent form.
• No more than two adults may accompany the child; other children should be left at home.

Seeing Your Child Soon After Surgery
After surgery, one parent may visit the child in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (commonly known as PACU). The PACU nurse will let you know when you can see your child. Before your child is discharged, the nurse will review the written post-operative instructions. A nurse will contact you the day after your child’s surgery to check on your child’s progress.

Important Telephone Numbers:
Ambulatory Care Center 301-754-7290.
Pediatric Patient Care Center 301-754-7610.
Blood bank information line 301-754-7337.

Looking for a Holy Cross pediatrician? Click here to Find A Physician.

Return to top.