My son needs an MRI and I am so scared to take him to hospital

[worriedpleasereassureme]

Please someone reassure me that it is safe in hospitals. I have been keeping away from everything ever since covid first appeared. And now the thought of taking my 18 month old DS to a hospital in a children's ward for a whole day is terrifying me.

I know I have to go, as something may be seriously wrong, which is enough stress on its own.

I'm regularly in and out of hospital (CEV) and got another MRI just next week. You do need to keep VERY still and it's quite noisy - which is hard enough for adults! So much better that your LO sleeps through it and won't even know it's happened. I regularly see small children coming for scans.

I had a baby in September. I had gestational diabetes which involved me going to a clinic in hospital every 4 weeks with numerous other women. I had scans and extra scans, I went to maternity assessment for reduced movements. I had an elective c section and a stay on a ward. I didnt contract covid and our area has had local restrictions more or less the whole time since the first lockdown ended.

I work on a children’s ward for infants aged 0-2 and we do a LOT of sedated MRI scans.

In the last 9 months, since Covid first appeared, we have only had about 3-4 children admitted with Covid. We test all children and parents for whatever reason they are admitted and there’s only been one rogue positive test in a child (he was in for a head injury) and we’ve probably had about 10-20 cases in parents who were completely asymptomatic and very surprised to get a positive result back. In the last 9 months we’ve only had 3 staff be off with Covid.

All infants admitted with suspected Covid are kept isolated in cubicles. If a child or parent comes back with a positive test (as part of their random admission testing) they will also be isolated in cubicles.

There is black and yellow tape on the floor around the bed spaces/cots so parents know they have to stay within their own taped area.

All staff wear masks and visors and parents are advised to wear their masks if they are mobilising around the ward.

We also provide all meals to parents/children now so they do not need to go to the canteen or shops where they will be mixing with other people in the hospital.

The have worked on my current ward for 7 or so years and I have never known of a child get sick from the sensation where they are required to stay in. Most infants are discharged within about two hours of coming back to the ward after their scan.

Don’t worry OP - I’m sure he will be fine.

Sick from the sedation obviously - not the sensation

My parents neighbours have been in and out of a&e, mri scans and hospital appointments for weeks with poorly daughter. They found a brain tumour and they have been on the childrens ward for a week now. They haven't caught it

I've had appointments in hospital throughout the pandemic- probably 10 times since last March, 4 different hospitals and several different wards. I haven't had covid (I've had an antibody test through work). Hope that makes you feel a bit better.

They say come prepared to stay but that hardly happens. It will be a light sedation do yes might be sick (have changes of clothes for you both) but once he's awake properly, been to loo and eaten something they'll let him go (if he's fussy take a few bits he doesn't need to eat much).
Been in and out of hospitals all year and never not felt safe. They are really clean and all are taking it all very seriously.

I had to go for a scan and I felt very safe. There's next to no one walking around the corridors and very few people waiting to be seen. Everyone there is being so careful, I'd much rather go to hospital than to the supermarket

Children's wards will be Covid and non Covid. He will be on the non Covid side. There have been very few children in hospital with Covid anyway. Normally we would be full of babies with Bronchiolitis at this time of year and all the staff would be full of cold. So it's probably safer than ever at the minute.

"The have worked on my current ward for 7 or so years and I have never known of a child get sick from the sensation where they are required to stay in. Most infants are discharged within about two hours of coming back to the ward after their scan."

Totally agree. He won't need to stay.

@ThornAmongstRoses interesting that you are testing parents. We. Or have to ask every single member of staff that comes on the ward if they've been tested. But aren't testing parents. Which totally defeats the object. Although they have to shield for a week before coming in.

I'd much rather go to hospital than to the supermarket

I said this many, many times last year when family were worried as I was at hospital so frequently! It was like a ghost town in the corridors. No one is where they don't need to be, no visitors wandering around. It all felt so safe and controlled.

We have been inpatient three time since the pandemic started and had to do several scans.

The hospital staff knew all about infection control before it was fashionable and they have been practising for real for years as opposed to catching on the hop.

People die in hospitals because really sick people go to hospitals not because hospitals are dangerous.

That said take all the sensible precautions on your end too!

Im sorry you’re having to do this. I know how hard it is.

If your kid is quite little I recommend looking up YouTube videos of the sounds. It’s very noisy and can be frightening so it helps to give them the heads up

Honestly there is virtually no COVID on children's wards at present (Paediatric student nurse here), despite this all PPE precautions are being taken. It's probably one of the safest times to visit, just take precautions, don't wander the hospital etc. Good luck OP, I wouldn't say I thought it was safe if I didn't, I feel safer in placement than I do going to the supermarket or the park

Sorry to all those who have experienced hospitals throughout the pandemic, but thank you for your reassurance.

And thank you to all for your comments and kindness

I can understand your concern OP, but it’s so important your DS has the MRI. MRI head only usually takes 15 mins,I have at least one MRI scan every year. Head,Cervical & whole spine. I don’t worry at all, I know it’s necessary. There is lots of protocols in place to protect patients. Good luck.

I have had at least 15 appointments in 4 different hospitals during Covid and there hasn't been one time where I have felt unsafe or felt that I would catch Covid ( i have also had to stay in for 4 nights too).
The hospitals are quite as appointments are staggered and if anyone is waiting in the same waiting room as you they are over the other side of the room.
Hope your DS gets on ok

I'm a radiographer

Not in a childrens hospital but in a hospital with high amounts of covid.
Our outpatients are kept completely away from anyone "hot" (covid)
They have their temperature taken on arrival.
Chairs have all been moved away from each other.
No reading materials
Staggered appointments etc

We clean thoroughly between each patient.

Try not to worry. Hospital transmission is nowhere near as bad as social media/MN would suggest.