Patients and Visitors

At Blank Children's Hospital, you and your family have the right to:

Respect and Personal Dignity

• You are important.
• We want to get to know you.
• We will tell you who we are, and we will call you by your name. We will take time to listen to you.
• We will not talk about you in your room or outside your door unless you know what is happening.
• We will honor your privacy.

Care that Supports You and Your Family

• You and your family are important. We will work together to make you as safe and comfortable as possible.
• All families are different. We want to learn what is important to you and your family.
• There will be a place for a member of your family to spend the night in the hospital with you or near you.

Information You Can Understand

• We will explain things to you. We will speak in ways you can understand. You can ask about what is happening to you and why.
• Someone who speaks your language will help explain things to you.
• Someone from your family can be with you when people in the hospital are explaining things to you.

Emotional Support

• When you are at Blank Children's, you might feel scared, mad, lonely, or sad. You can let people know how you feel. It is okay to cry or complain.
• You can have your family with you as much as possible. When this is not possible, the other people caring for you will explain why.
• We can help you meet children and families who have had experiences like yours.
• You can wear your own clothing most of the time and keep your special things with you.
• You can talk or play with people who know how to help when you have questions or problems.
• You can ask to be moved to another room if you are uncomfortable or unhappy.

Care that Respects Your Need to Grow, Play and Learn

• We will consider all your interests and needs, not just those related to your illness or disability.
• You have the right to rest, play and learn. We will make sure that you have places and times for the things children your age need to grow and learn.

Quality Health Care

• There are many people who take care of your child in the hospital. You have the right to know who they are and what they do.
• You can expect to have your child cared for by doctors, nurses, and others who know how to care for children and youth.
• You are an important member of your child's health care team. You know your child best. The information you have is important. Please share this information with us so that together we can plan what is best.
• You have the right to know about treatment options for your child.
• You have the right to know if your child's treatment is experimental or educational. You can refuse this treatment and the hospital staff will still take good care of your child.

Make Decisions About Your Child's Care

• You have the right to any information you need to make decisions about your child's care.
• We will work in partnership with you to make decisions about your child's care.
• We will explain all options so you can understand the risks and know what the choices are for your child's care.
• You may refuse treatments as permitted by law.
• You can change your mind about care for your child even if you have already given permission.
• You can ask for a second opinion from another doctor. You can ask for a specialist to see your child.
• You can ask to change hospitals. If it is necessary to transfer your child to another hospital, we will make every effort not to move your child until you have been told why.

 

Provide Information

• You have important information about your child's health. We need to know about symptoms, treatments, medicines, and other illnesses.
• You should tell us what you want for your child.
• It is important for you to tell us how you want to take part in your child's care.
• You should tell us if you don't understand something about your child's care.
• If you are not satisfied with your child's care, please tell us.

Provide Appropriate Care

• You and the other members of the health care team work together to plan your child's care.
• You are responsible for doing the things you agreed to do in this plan of care. If you cannot follow the plan, please tell us.

Meet Financial Obligations

• If possible, you should help to make sure that your child's hospital bill is paid as promptly as possible.
• If you have questions or concerns about your child's hospital bill, contact the patient account center at (515) 362-5111.

Respect and Consider the Rights of Others

• Your family is expected to respect the rights of other children, families and hospital personnel.

At Blank Children's Hospital, you and your child have the right to:

Respect and Personal Dignity

• You and your child will be treated with courtesy and respect.
• We will introduce ourselves. We will explain our role in your child's care.
• You can help us get to know your child. We can learn from you what is best for your family. We will take time to listen.
• The things you tell us in confidence will be kept private.
• We will speak and write respectfully about your child and family.
• We will honor your privacy.

Care that Supports You as a Family

• You and other family members are welcome in the hospital, because you and your family are the most important people to your child. Being together is important.
• We will provide a place for at least one family member to spend the night near your child.
• If you choose, you can stay with your child during most medical treatments.

Information You Can Understand

• You have the right to complete information from people helping you care for your child.
• You can ask what is happening to your child and why. Everything will be explained to you honestly, in ways you can understand.
• Someone who speaks your language will help explain things to you.
• You have the right to ask questions about anything that is unclear to you.
• You can ask to have someone from your family or another support person with you when people in the hospital are explaining things to you.
• You have the right to know about your child's condition and treatment plan. You have the right to see and review your child's medical records with health care personnel.
• You have the right to detailed information about your child's hospital bill.
• You have the right to know the policies, procedures, and routines of the hospital.
• You have the right to know the hospital's process for taking care of your concerns or complaints.

Quality Health Care

• There are many people who take care of your child in the hospital.
• You have the right to know who they are and what they do.
• You can expect to have your child cared for by doctors, nurses, and others who know how to care for children and youth.
• You are an important member of your child's health care team. You know your child best. The information you have is important. Please share this information with us so that together we can plan what is best for your child.
• You have the right to know about treatment options for your child.
• You have the right to know if your child's treatment is experimental or educational. You can refuse this treatment and the hospital staff will still take good care of your child.
• Before your child leaves the hospital, we will teach you about the care your child will need. We will tell you about people and places in your community that can help you.

Emotional Support

• When your child is in the hospital, you might feel afraid, angry, guilty, lonely or tired. You can talk with health professionals about your feelings, questions, problems or concerns. They will listen to you and respect your feelings.
• If you want help, you can decide whom you want to help you.
• We can help you meet other families who have had experiences like yours.

Care that Respects Your Child's Growth and Development

• We will consider all of your child's interests and needs, not just those related to illness or disability.
• People who understand the needs and concerns of children and teenagers will care for your child.
• We will try to keep your child's schedule and activities as normal as possible. This includes uninterrupted sleep, quiet times, play times, school and the comfort of family and friends.

Make Decisions About Your Child's Care

• You have the right to any information you need to make decisions about your child's care.
• We will work in partnership with you to make decisions about your child's care.
• We will explain all options so you can understand the risks and know what the choices are for your child's care.
• You may refuse treatments as permitted by law. You can change your mind about care for your child even if you have already given permission.
• You can ask for a second opinion from another doctor. You can ask for a specialist to see your child.
• You can ask to change hospitals.
• If it is necessary to transfer your child to another hospital, we will make every effort not to move your child until you have been told why.

 

 

• Doors to patient units at Blank Children’s Hospital are locked for safety. Parents and guests will need to check in and out at the front desk.
• Parents and guardians will receive a wristband to wear until your child goes home. Other family and guests will receive a name badge to wear.
• Your child should stay in the room unless they are out with you or with a team member who has a UnityPoint Health photo name badge.

Your child will be given an ID band to wear while they are in the hospital. The ID band is for your child's safety and needs to stay on until they are discharged from the hospital.

Please leave personal items that have value and money at home. The hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Tell your child’s care team if you brought an electric item such as a hair dryer or razor. For your safety, electric items need to be checked to be sure the cords are safe.

When oxygen is in use in the room, some electric items and spray products may not be safe to use. Check with your care team if you have questions.

If you hear a fire alarm (chimes or bells) or see flashing lights, please stay where you are. The care team will let you know if there’s anything for you to do. During an alarm, all doors will close. Do not use elevators.

Public Safety Officers are on the hospital campus 24 hours a day. The officers watch for and help with safety and security issues. They may also provide help such as escorting you to your car, jump starting your car, parking and maintaining the Lost and Found. If you need help, talk with your child’s nurse or call (515) 241-6476.

Located on level B of the South Wing of Iowa Methodist. The cafeteria offers a variety of entrees, grill options, salads, soups, desserts, snacks and daily specials. Open daily.

Monday through Friday

• Breakfast: 5:30 to 10 a.m.
• Lunch, Hot Line: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Lunch, Grill: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dinner: 3:30 to 7:40 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Micro Market Overnight Hours

• Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Located on level 1 of Younker. The café offers grab-n-go salads, sandwiches and soups. Open Monday through Friday.

• Breakfast: 7 to 10 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1:30 pm.

Located on level 1 of the Methodist Medical Plaza Atrium, the café serves Starbucks coffee, grab-n-go salads, sandwiches and soups. Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Family members and friends with a patient may order room service. Food may be ordered between 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. by calling (515) 241-7333. Ask a team member or the floor host/hostess for a guest menu. Visa and MasterCard are accepted as the method of payment.

Vending machines serving sandwiches, snacks and drinks are located across the Iowa Methodist campus at the following locations:

• First floor of the North Wing, near the Emergency Department and Outpatient Pharmacy.
• First floor of the Northwest Wing, in the walkway between Blank Children's Hospital and the Methodist Medical Plaza Atrium.
• First floor of Younker, open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Family Space is in each patient room and on each floor of Blank Children’s Hospital. Quiet spaces are at the end of the halls on each floor. An adult must stay with guests who are younger than age 14.

Family Space on Blank 5

Ask your child's care team about access to:

• Respite Rooms - Two respite, or short stay, bedrooms with bathrooms can be reserved each day.
• Shower - A shower, shampoo, soap and towels are available to use.
• Washing machine and dryer - A clothes washer, dryer and soap is available to use.

Playroom on Blank 5

The playroom is a safe and fun place for children to play and ‘just be kids.’ It has toys, games, arts, crafts, music and daily things for children and families to do. The Child Life team supervises the room. Siblings may use the room when an adult is with them.

Toys and Games

Toys and games may be checked out from the Child Life team to use in your child’s room. Please leave the toys and games in the room when your child is finished with them. You may bring favorite toys from home.

Video Games

Starlight video game systems are on each unit for patients to play. You may bring a game system from home, but it needs to be checked before it is plugged into the TV. Ask your child’s care team about using a gaming system.

Lyne Cutler Park and Playground

Enjoy a breath of fresh air in the park. The playground is in celebration of Erin Moomey. Erin was a patient at Blank Children’s Hospital in 2013. She thought the park would be more fun with play equipment. After losing her battle with leukemia, her family made Erin’s dream a reality. We hope you will visit the park and enjoy the playground.

To find the park:

• Take the Blank Children’s Hospital elevators to level A.
• Exit to the right and turn right at the hall.
• Follow the hall to the Younker Crossover, and turn right.
• Follow the hall to the park, which will be on the right side.
• Press the handicap button to enter and exit the park.

Blank Children's Hospital offers hospital chaplains to provide spiritual and emotional support. Our chaplains serve many faiths and traditions. As members of your child's care team, our chaplains can offer your family comfort during the treatment process. Our chaplains can help your family with:

• Difficulty coping
• Feelings of anxiety, fear, guilt, vulnerability, discouragement, sadness or loneliness
• Major decisions
• Meaning or purpose in life
• Spirituality as a source of strength and meaning for you and your child
• Spiritual questions
• Prayers and religious practices

The Jeanne Hoff Goodwin chapel is located on the first floor, north wing of Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The chapel is always open for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. An interfaith service is held in the chapel every Tuesday from 12 to 12:20 p.m.

Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request a chaplain, you may ask your nurse to contact the on-call chaplain or call (515) 241- 6212.

The Iowa Methodist Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy provides convenient access to prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and medication consultations. The pharmacy is located on North 1 next to the emergency department.

The Hannah Geneser Learning Center & Safety Store provides a variety of safety products at a low price and has experts on hand to help you follow best practices as your child grows. The Hannah Geneser Learning Center & Safety Store offers items such as car seats, booster seats, infant sleep sacks, various childproofing items, child safety gates, and much more. The Safety Store is located on the Iowa Methodist Medical Center campus in the North 1 hallway.

Our Gift Shops have a large variety of gifts, flowers, drinks and snacks for patients and employees with free delivery. Shopping is easy and convenient with our online Gift Shop.

Shop Online

You can also place orders with us over the phone. Please call 515-241-6193 and we can assist with your selection and collect your delivery/payment information.

Gift Shop hours are as follows (the shops are closed on major holidays):

• Gift  & Flower Shop. Located in the north wing, first floor, near the main hospital entrance. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Plaza Shoppe. Located in the Methodist Medical Plaza Atrium, first floor. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A guest wireless network is available to patients and visitors. To access the network, find the list of available wireless networks on your device and select "UnityPoint Guest WiFi" to connect. You must accept our terms of use because you can access the wireless network from your laptop, tablet or smartphone. If you have trouble gaining access to the Internet, please call our 24-hour phone support system at 1-877-374-0229 to listen to a help message.