Interventional Radiology

What to Expect for Your Child's Procedure

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We welcome you and your child to Interventional Radiology. Please read the specific information on your child’s procedure and bring questions with you on the day of the procedure. If there are any concerns prior to your procedure, we can be reached at 202-476-3791.

It is very important that you arrive promptly for the procedure. Generally, we ask you to register nearly one to two hours before your procedure time and arriving late may cause further delays for your child.

If your child is not feeling well or is not in their usual state of health, please call us. It is very important that we know before the procedure. You can call us at 202-476-3791.

The Interventional Radiology team at Children’s National looks forward to seeing you and your child.

Preparing for Your Child's Procedure

Where is Interventional Radiology located in the main hospital?

What is my child allowed to eat or drink before the procedure?

Feeding Instructions:

Your child may not have solid food, milk, gum or mints beginning eight hours prior to the arrival.
Your child may have clear liquids until two hours prior to arrival. After that, your child cannot have anything to eat or drink. Clear liquids include: water, apple juice, Gatorade®, Pedialyte, Jell-O, and Italian Ice (as long as there are no fruit or fruit pieces).

Specific feeding and arrival times will be relayed to you directly from a pre-op nurse within 72 hours of your procedure.

How do my child and I prepare for the procedure?

We encourage good communication between you and your child, including the necessity and overview of the procedure, as well as ensuring them that you are close by the whole time. Holding them or their hands until they leave for the procedure is a great way to provide support.

You will be given specific instructions, but you may need to arrive a few hours before the scheduled procedure to have some blood tests done. When you arrive at the hospital, a doctor will review the procedure and associated risks, after which you will sign a consent form. When we are ready to get started with the procedure, a nurse will place an intravenous line to deliver sedating medications and you will be escorted to the waiting room for the duration of the procedure.

Being There for Your Child

How can I provide emotional support for my child?

Many children get scared or feel uncomfortable during medical procedures. Having a parent or caregiver there is calming and comforting and makes most children feel better.

Interventional Radiology at Children's National Hospital allows parents to be with their children whenever it is safe. Our goal is to make the experience less stressful for both you and your child, while safely performing the procedure. This means that during some procedure, one parent can stay in the room. We can review the safety of this prior to the procedure.

Emotional Support Planning for a Procedure:

We understand that you want to support your child during their hospital visit in the best way possible. Here are some helpful tips for accompanying your child during a procedure:

One parent/caregiver may come with your child. The parent who is best able to support your child should be with them.
It's a good idea to make a coping plan for keeping your child calm and distracted. Think about what helps your child during stressful situations. You can pack a bag with a few favorites such as a blanket, stuffed animal, book or hand-held electronic device. Together with your child, you can make a list of favorite memories to talk about to stay calm.
Children respond best to situations they are prepared for. Talk with your child about going into the room. Give a simple explanation of the procedure. Practice the coping plan together. Practice taking deep breaths together.
Your role is to help provide emotional support and distraction for your child. The calmer you are, the better you will be able to help your child. Please review the procedure (list below) so you understand the procedure and feel prepared.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Child's Procedure

What should I expect on procedure day in the Interventional Radiology suite?

Here is what will happen on the day of the procedure if your child is not undergoing anesthesia:

Check in at the Radiology front desk, and an Interventional Radiology staff member will bring you and your child to the procedure area.
You will put on a hat, mask and lead apron on for safety.
You and your child will be escorted into the procedure room
You may help get your child comfortable on the bed. You will stand or sit next to your child's head so they can see and hear you. You may be asked to hold your child's hands above their head.
This is to keep the hands away from the sterile area of the procedure. If you are uncomfortable with this, please tell the nurse.
We will place a seatbelt around your child. This allows us to keep your child safe during the procedure.
There will be several staff members in the room including the physician, nurse and technologist. The team will spend a few minutes setting up. This is an opportunity for you and your child to begin coping strategies such as distracting, talking, singing and deep breathing.
Your child may become upset during the procedure. This is normal for many children, no matter how old they are, and does not reflect your ability to comfort your child. You are helping your child by being there.
If, at any time, you feel uncomfortable and need to sit down or leave the room, please tell a staff member.

After the procedure:

A staff member will be available to answer any medical questions and there is more information listed under the information about the procedure.

What should I expect on procedure day in the operating room?

Here is what will happen on the day of the procedure if your child is undergoing anesthesia:

Check in at the surgical front desk, and a staff member will bring you and your child to the pre-operative area.
You will speak with the pre-op nurse, anesthesiologist, procedure nurse and the interventional radiologist.
Your child will be escorted into the procedure room and you will be led to the waiting area.
Your child will undergo the procedure, and then be brought to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
We will bring you back to be with your child when it is safe.

Please Note:

If you are pregnant or think you could be, you may not accompany your child during the procedure. This is because of the radiation from X-rays and other imaging.

If you have other children, you will need to make arrangements for them to stay at home.

You will wear a heavy lead apron for radiation protection. If you experience frequent back or neck pain or have a condition that prevents you from carrying more than 5-10 pounds, you may not want to accompany your child during the procedure as the lead apron exacerbate your problem.

Visual Resources for Your Child's Medical Visit

Share these kid-friendly visual resources with your child to help them prepare for a hospital procedure. These resources are especially helpful for young children and children with developmental disabilities.

View resources