The Comfort Zone is our promise to families that we will make every effort to keep your child as comfortable as safely possible during every visit to Children’s Wisconsin hospitals. Our doctors, nurses and other health care providers are committed to this care.

You are an important member of the team and you know your child better than anyone else. Tell us how your child reacts to pain and what comfort measures have worked in the past. We will give you information about pain and what can help. We will work with you to develop a plan to help your child be comfortable.

All visitors must stop at the Welcome Center each day. For the safety of our patients, people with coughs, colds or illness should not visit. We reserve the right to change visitor restrictions and screening.

Planning your visit to one of our hospitals can be overwhelming.  Learn more about preparing to visit the Milwaukee Hospital or the Fox Valley Hospital.

Expectations and Responsibilities

We’re committed to caring for you and your family with compassion and respect. To help maintain a safe and healing environment:

• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to pause — we are here to support you.
• Disruptive behaviors are not allowed, including:
• Swearing or yelling
• Threats or bullying
• Unwelcome physical contact
• Damaging property

Anyone engaging in these behaviors may be asked to leave.

Let’s work together to ensure a positive, respectful place for everyone.

Food Storage and Use of Unit Refrigerator

To keep everyone safe and healthy:

• All food in your child’s room must be sealed to avoid attracting bugs.
• No in-room refrigerators are available. Use the family lounge refrigerators on the unit.
• If you bring food that needs to be refrigerated:
• Label it with your child’s name and the date.
• Use labels provided by your child’s care team.
• Food not labeled or left for more than 48 hours will be thrown away.
• This is part of our health and safety rules.
• Children’s Wisconsin is not responsible for food that is discarded.

Identification Badge

To help keep everyone safe:

• All families and visitors must wear an ID badge at all times while in the hospital.
• A new badge is required each day.
• You can get a badge at any Welcome Center or nurses’ station.
• Please return your badge to a Welcome Center when you leave the hospital.

Visitor Guidelines

• All inpatient families must create a visitor list.
• Every person on the list must wear a visitor badge.
• During viral season, our visitor guidelines can change. Be sure to check our Visitor Guidelines for the latest.

Leaving Your Child’s Room

Before leaving your child’s room with your child:

• Check with your child’s provider first. They’ll let you know if it’s safe to go for a walk.
• Approved walking areas include:
• The first floor public spaces
• The Noel Family Healing Garden
• The lower level near the dining room

Please do not enter other patient care areas and be mindful to respect the privacy of all patients and families while walking through the hospital.

News Media

We understand that being in a hospital with a sick or injured child can be a stressful time. If you are contacted by the news media, please remember:

• You do not have to talk to reporters.
• You do not owe anyone an interview.
• It’s ok to change your mind, even if you previously agreed to speak.
• Do not arrange interviews on your own. For safety and privacy, all reporters must be accompanied by a Children’s Wisconsin Media Relations Specialist.

If a reporter contacts you:

Call the Media Relations team at (414) 266-5420 for support.

Please note: Security staff will escort any unaccompanied reporters off hospital property, per hospital policy.

Pagers

In some situations, Children’s Wisconsin offers pagers for families who need to step away from the hospital for a short time. Ask your child’s nurse for more information about getting a pager.