Parents most frequently asked questions
Oct. 24, 2011 - SickKids its Same Day Admit Unit (SDAU). Please see our "Dear Parent" letter for more information.
While in the Surgical Waiting Room: 
1. Where can I get my parking ticket stamped?
The Surgical Waiting Room has a parking stamp.
2. Who is allowed to have their parking ticket stamped?
We generally only stamp parent tickets and occasionally grandparents, under certain circumstances. Every family member does not receive the family rate.
3. How many family members can accompany the child to the hospital?
Only two adults may escort a child throughout the day from registration to recovery. Your child’s siblings are not permitted to accompany you throughout the day from registration to recovery, for reasons of infection control and patient safety.
Adults who are accompanying a child must wear identifying sticker: 
4. Is there a place where my other child/children can wait during surgery?
The Play Park is a safe place for brothers and sisters of patients to play. For more information, please visit: The Play Park
5. Can I take my infant into recovery because I have no babysitter with me?
Normally, this is not allowed. The Play Park does not take children under 2 years of age. The patient will remain by him/her self if there is no one to care for the patient.
6. Can my other child visit in recovery? Can grandparents and other family members visit in recovery?
The guideline for visiting patients in recovery is for parents only, unless the parent is alone, in which case one other person may accompany the parent for a short visit. Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) nurses discourage switching. One parent may stay with the child. Children, in almost all circumstances, are not allowed in PACU.
7. Can I come to the recovery room before my child wakes up?
Parents can not be in the recovery room before their child wakes up. The PACU nurses need to check up on the child before the parents are called to visit.
8. Will I receive information about the progress during the procedure?
For the most part, there are not any updates given during surgery. The general rule is that volunteers only ask for updates once a procedure exceeds one hour or more over the scheduled time.
9. Can volunteers give me information about my child?
Volunteers are unable to give information about a patient unless specifically requested to do so by the surgeon or nurse.