Surgery at Children's- any tips

[Anonymous]

I am the Children's employee - hit send too soon -

Yes, bring a change of clothes and something comfortable to sleep in (yoga pants, sweatshirt, socks.) We are used to seeing parents in pjs.

The coffee bar in the lobby is decent. Better than cafeteria coffee and can make 'fancy drinks.'

There is a Walgreens onsite in the lobby. Ask for any discharge meds to be sent there so you can get them before you head home. They will even deliver them to the bedside. They also have a few snacks and flavored water down there too.

Bring comfy clothes for your kid to go home. PJs are fine.

Parking is a nightmare. It is $7/day to park, but you can buy $5 stickers at the Parking office. http://childrensnational.org/choose-childrens/visiting-staying/transportation-parking. If you have to be here early for surgery, it shouldn't be a big deal though. It gets nuts later in the AM.

The hospital doesn't validate parking.

Good luck to you and your child!

[Anonymous]

If you are going to have visitors without access to a car - There's a shuttle to/from Brookland Metro that's really convenient. Or you can hop on a WMATA bus to Brookland or to Columbia Heights. It's also a short cab or Uber ride from Columbia Heights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to have visitors without access to a car - There's a shuttle to/from Brookland Metro that's really convenient. Or you can hop on a WMATA bus to Brookland or to Columbia Heights. It's also a short cab or Uber ride from Columbia Heights.

Except the Bookland metro is shut down for SafeTrack. There is also a shuttle from Union Station.

[Anonymous]

They gave our DS pink medicine to calm him down prior to the surgery. It worked wonders.

[Anonymous]

very helpful everyone, thank you

[Anonymous]

if you have not observed your child getting anesthesia before - be ready. some children appear to be struggling to breath - it is OK.

The child life specialists are awesome! If your child is old enough to enjoy games like a wii - ask for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to have visitors without access to a car - There's a shuttle to/from Brookland Metro that's really convenient. Or you can hop on a WMATA bus to Brookland or to Columbia Heights. It's also a short cab or Uber ride from Columbia Heights.

Except the Bookland metro is shut down for SafeTrack. There is also a shuttle from Union Station.

oh yeah forgot.

where is the Union Station shuttle? I couldn't find any information about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to have visitors without access to a car - There's a shuttle to/from Brookland Metro that's really convenient. Or you can hop on a WMATA bus to Brookland or to Columbia Heights. It's also a short cab or Uber ride from Columbia Heights.

Except the Bookland metro is shut down for SafeTrack. There is also a shuttle from Union Station.

oh yeah forgot.

where is the Union Station shuttle? I couldn't find any information about it.

http://childrensnational.org/~/media/cnhs-site/files/visiting-and-staying/brookland-closure-flier-for-families.ashx?la=en

Historically, the Union Station shuttle was for employees only (there is staff that park at Union Station and then shuttle to work) - but with Brookland being closed, they are letting the public ride those shuttles. I *think* they pick up on the upper level of the garage where the buses pick up. If you needed to get further info about transportation, contact Concierge Services at 202-476-2220.