Day Hospital

At the paediatric Day Hospital, we care for patients from different specialties in a single dedicated space. The aim is for children to receive outpatient treatment during the day without needing to be admitted and to return home when treatment has been completed. The space is divided into two areas: treatments, which are administered in the Day Hospital and the haemodialysis unit, and exploratory tests under sedation or Special Techniques Area (ATE).

At SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, we care for more than 1,500 patients each year, to whom we administer more than 10,500 treatments.

We mainly receive Oncology and Haematology patients whose chemotherapy treatments last several hours. The Day Hospital also treats patients with rheumatological problems, kidney failure or other chronic diseases. The space is equipped with cubicles to perform tolerance and immunoallergy tests.

Operation of the Day Hospital

Since different types of treatment, tests and even outpatient surgery are performed, we ask that you take into account the instructions that the staff of the Day Hospital give you before you arrive. In some cases, you should consider whether it is necessary for the child to be fasting and the requirements for the procedure to be performed.

Specialities and services

Day Hospital is a care unit where the patient can be treated without being separated from their family environment, so that they spend a few hours in the centre but sleep at home. These spaces were designed to administer chemotherapy to paediatric patients, who in most cases required admission.

Medical advances have been able to control the side effects, so it is no longer necessary for the child to sleep in the hospital.

Little by little, this way of caring for children has been incorporated to other treatments (not just oncological). Currently, a wide range of treatments, outpatient procedures and other diagnostic tests are performed for the following specialties:

• Oncology and Haematology (chemotherapy, transfusions, etc.).
• Paediatrics (Rheumatology and Pulmonology).
• Nephrology (intravenous treatment, haemodialysis, etc.).
• Gastroenterology (endoscopies, intravenous treatments, etc.).
• Neurology.
• Ophthalmology.
• Dermatology.
• Endocrinology (functional tests).
• Allergy and Clinical Immunology (food and drug allergy tests, treatment of patients with immunodeficiency).

Our facilities

• 23 beds of which 10 are for Oncohaematology, 5 multi-purpose hospital beds, 6 for oral controlled exposure to food and medicines and 2 beds and armchairs in the Haemodialysis Unit.
• 2 isolation chambers with positive and negative pressure based on the patients' needs (immunosuppressed or infectious).
• 3 offices for multi-purpose outpatient consultations to treat patients from the different specialties.
• 850 square metres with several play areas.
• Family zone with coffee maker and microwave, which can only be used by the children and family members admitted to the Day Hospital.

Special Techniques Area (ATE)

The Special Techniques Area (ATE) is located in the Day Hospital at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital. In this space, several types of procedure are performed under anaesthesia for patients who in most cases do not require admission, such as outpatient interventions, diagnostic tests and some types of treatment. Admitted children are also cared for.

The space consists of four armchairs in which patients are prepared before the procedure, two operating rooms (ATE 2 and ATE 3) and a resuscitation area. This space is also where children and their families spend the observation period until they are discharged. Families (up to a maximum of two people) may accompany patients who are admitted for a few hours, and one person is also allowed to accompany the child to the operating room until the patient sleeps. However, sedation is not necessary in all cases. The most common specialties and procedures include:

• Gastroenterology: liver biopsies, endoscopy, etc.
• Dentistry: pulpotomy, extractions, etc.
• Pulmonology and Otorhinolaryngology: bronchoscopies and assessments of the airways.
• Oncology and Haematology: punctures, diagnostic tests, administration of drugs, etc.
• Nephrology: kidney biopsies.
• Rehabilitation: injections of various types.

Information for families

Family members should also notify the Hospital in the following cases:

• If the child has chickenpox or any undiagnosed skin rash, notify us and please avoid visiting the Day Hospital to avoid passing it on to other children.
• If your child is ill or has unexpected symptoms after returning home following discharge from the hospital, you should contact the hospital and we will instruct you what to do.