Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Hospital care for newborns, children, and teens up to age 18.
When a child needs to stay in the hospital, families are often taking in a lot of information all at once. You may be meeting new care teams, hearing unfamiliar medical terms, and trying to understand what the next few hours or days might look like.
At Kootenai Health, children admitted to the pediatric unit are cared for by pediatric hospitalists—physicians who specialize in treating children during hospital stays. They monitor your child’s condition, review test results, and adjust treatment as needed while coordinating closely with nurses and specialists across the hospital. As part of a full-service regional hospital, they also collaborate directly with teams like the NICU, Family Birth Center, and pediatric therapy services—bringing specialized pediatric care together in one place when it’s needed.
The pediatric unit is designed with both children and families in mind. Our team regularly works with children who have neurodivergence, developmental differences, or complex medical histories, adapting care so children can receive the treatment they need while feeling as comfortable as possible in an unfamiliar setting. Families are included throughout the process, with time to review findings, discuss treatment options, and understand what the next steps may be.
24/7, 365 Coverage
6 Private Rooms
100% Kid-Focused
Need to Admit a Pediatric Patient?
Our transfer center can help coordinate the next steps.
Where Care Meets Expertise
Conditions
- Sepsis (immune system malfunction caused by infection)
- Head trauma (concussion or other injury caused by a blow)
- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis (viral lung infection, especially in infants)
- Croup (viral infection with cough and breathing difficulty)
- Gastrointestinal issues (digestive issues with pain, diarrhea, constipation)
- Dehydration
- Failure to thrive (slower-than-expected growth, now known as “growth faltering”)
- Feeding intolerance (inability to properly digest food)
- Urinary tract infections
- Acute kidney injury (resulting from infection or disruption of blood flow)
- Skin infections
- Ingestion (poisoning or swallowing things like magnets or toys)
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction to food, insect stings, medicine, etc.)
- Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice)
- Diabetes
- Trauma care and fractures
- Surgical care
- Appendicitis
Diagnostics & Monitoring
Our inpatient pediatric rooms support continuous monitoring of heart rate and oxygen levels, with access to telemetry for more advanced cardiac monitoring. We also offer video EEG for patients with seizure concerns, along with a full range of imaging, including CT and MRI, with a focus on minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. Our care teams work closely to limit unnecessary lab draws and reduce needle anxiety through thoughtful, patient-centered approaches.
Treatments & Procedures
- Bowel clean out (treatment for severe constipation)
- Intravenous fluids and antibiotics
- Supplemental oxygen
- High-flow nasal cannula
- Vest therapy
Family-Centered Care
When a child is in the hospital, the experience can be stressful for the whole family. Our pediatric unit is designed to support every member of that circle—patients, caregivers, and siblings—helping ease the uncertainty that can come with a hospital stay.
Parents are encouraged to stay overnight and bring familiar items like toys or blankets to help children feel more comfortable. We also support breastfeeding families with meals and consultation services when needed. Older children have access to age-appropriate movies and games, and our team works closely with families to understand their needs and help make the hospital stay as manageable as possible.
Rehabilitation Support During Your Child’s Hospital Stay
During a hospital stay, some children may work with physical therapists, occupational therapists, or speech-language pathologists. These specialists help support movement, feeding, communication, and everyday activities as your child recovers.
Therapy may also focus on preparing families for the transition home. Your care team will share guidance, exercises, and strategies to help continue progress after discharge.
Advanced Pediatric Expertise, Working Together
Community Programs for Kids & Families
