When a child needs more than a doctor's office but less than an emergency room, a day hospital can be the right solution. Simple IV hydration, antibiotic therapy and other selected interventions are provided at the Tom Bates Day Hospital, part of the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the day hospital is staffed by registered nurses with extensive pediatric experience and a technician certified in phlebotomy.

An important aspect of the day hospital is the Pediatric Sedation Suite, according to pediatric intensivist Dr. Mark McDonald. "We can offer moderate or deep sedation to make a child more comfortable," he explains. "Parents are thankful because this is non-traumatic for the child. We have a full team dedicated to making procedures such as MRIs, endoscopies, colonoscopies, bone marrow aspirations, lumbar punctures, bronchoscopies, and radiological procedures more comfortable for our patients."

Dr. Robert Hubbird, another pediatric intensivist on staff at the day hospital, says, "This is the fourth year since beginning our pediatric sedation unit at Children's Hospital and we now provide procedural sedation for about 1,500 children per year."

Inpatient and outpatient services are available for children ages one month to 18 years in the bright, pleasant facility. Child Life Specialists are on hand to provide developmentally appropriate medical play and diversion, supporting both the children and their families.

For additional information about the Tom Bates Day Hospital, located in Suite 204 of 7 Richland Medical Park, call (803) 434-7149 or 434-7954.