Pediatric Subacute

About the Children's Center

Whittier Hospital Medical Center's Pediatric Subacute Unit, "the Children's Center," has been designed to care for children who are too ill or who are too technologically dependent to receive care at home. Although these children may no longer need traditional hospital care, they continue to require a level of supervision and services that can only be provided in a "subacute" health care environment. The Children's Center offers that special level of care and caring to each of its patients - and more! And because the Center is located on the Whittier Hospital campus, acute-level hospital services are close at hand should the need arise.

Most Common Pediatric Sub-Acute Medical Conditions

coma
congenital disease
developmental disabilities
near drowning
neuromuscular degenerative disease
prematurity
respiratory disease
spinal cord and head injuries
tracheotomy care
ventilator dependence
G-tube dependence
birth abnormalities

Our Facility

Our environment is designed for children. We have brightly decorated rooms and well-equipped group spaces in a home-like setting. Colorful artwork, a private outdoor play courtyard, and other environmental stimulation encourage our patients to participate in activities to the extent they are able.

Our Treatment Team

Our treatment team is an interdisciplinary group of health care professionals specially trained to meet the unique care needs of our young patients. Each team member carries the appropriate licenses or credentials for their respective positions.

The Children's Center treatment team is under the direction of our medical director who is board certified in the specialties of pediatrics and critical care. Other team members include nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, special education teachers, child life specialists, pharmacists and dietitians.

These professionals work together to create individualized health care plans to address each child's specific problems and requirements. They meet regularly to review the treatment plan and to evaluate each child's progress, making adjustments as needed.

Family Support Network

Family involvement is an integral part of each patient's care and treatment, and family involvement is vital to reaching longterm health goals.

Family members are educated about the injury or disease process, and they participate in conferences with the treatment team to keep abreast of their child's functional status and progress. The team also helps support family members by providing a sympathetic, supportive environment for them to share their feelings and experiences.

Assessment and Admission

To determine a child's need for the subacute level of care provided through the Children's Center, a representative from our treatment team will visit the child in the hospital to review diagnostic test results, the patient's history, and the patient's physical status. There is no charge for this evaluation.

If the child is admitted, a supplemental assessment by the entire treatment team will be used as the basis for developing the patient's individualized goals and treatment plan.

Referral Procedures and Insurance

Referrals to our program may be made by calling our social worker at 562.907.1621. Our no-cost evaluation should be initiated within 24 hours of the referral. The Children's Center at Whittier Hospital Medical Center is certified by Medi-Cal, and care is covered by most other public and private insurance plans.

Named One of the best in the State for Skilled Nursing Care

We are proud of having been named one of the top 14 skilled nursing facilities in all of California, and one of the best in the state for skilled pediatric nursing care by the US News & World Report more than 5 years in a row. This comprehensive report shows that Whittier Hospital Medical Center's nursing staff provides four times more personal attention per resident than the national average. To learn more about our CMS 5-star rating, visit https://www.whittierhospital.com/Clinical-Services-Programs/Pediatric-Sub-Acute-Center/News.aspx

Call for Assessment and Admitting

Please call (562) 907-1621 or (562) 907-1791 or click here for more information on the Whittier Hospital Medical Center Children's Center.