Arthur's Guide to Children's Hospital Boston

Arthur's Guide to Children's Hospital Boston was an interactive feature of the Boston Children's Hospital's Web site. It was made available in 2005 and taken down in either 2012 or 2013. The purpose of this page is to reconstruct the website now that it has been taken down.

Welcome to Arthur's Guide to Children's Hospital Boston
I'm Arthur and these are some of my friends. We visited Children's Hospital Boston with our school. Mr. Ratburn made us write reports, so it's a good thing there was so much cool stuff to write about!

Read our reports to find out what it's like to come in for a doctor visit, a pre-op visit or a hospital stay. We came up with some great games and other fun stuff, too. So dig in!

Page 1
In our report, you'll find out everything you need to know about coming to the hospital for a doctor's appointment. (They also call this an outpatient visit.)

We took lots of photos as we walked around, so just click on any of the links you see to check out our stuff. We're in all the pictures! Francine discovers an awesome sports exhibit

People usually come into the main lobby and go to the front desk for directions. But if you already know where you're going, you can head right to your appointment and check in at the clinic.

Keep your eyes open as you walk to your appointment. There's lots of cool stuff to see, like fish tanks, gift shops, and groovy pieces of art.

Page 2
You'll see lots of people who work here, like doctors and nurses. We know that's not a big surprise, but there are so many KINDS of doctors and nurses, and so many other people with special jobs!

There are pediatricians and radiologists and even anesthesiologists! (We hope you never have to spell any of these. Even The Brain can't do that last one without a dictionary.) The cool MRI machine, which can see inside of you!

There are physical therapists and speech therapists. There are social workers and child life specialists. There are people who test your blood and people who put casts on broken arms and legs.

And then there's a whole team of people who make sure the hospital is always super clean!

Buster also found out what food you can get here before or after your doctor's appointment (if it's OK with your doctor and your parents!). He said that a real journalist should investigate, so he made sure he tested every piece of food he could find. Luckily, a nutritionist helped him to be sure he was testing healthy (and tasty) stuff.

Pre-Op Visit
If you're going to have an operation, you'll probably have a separate appointment beforehand to help you and your doctors get ready. This appointment is called a pre-operative visit (pre-op visit for short). A kid getting ready for a hospital visit at Pre-Op

Most pre-op visits happen in the Pre-Op Clinic. The staff there will talk to you and your parents about what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure. You might also need to go to the Blood Lab for some basic tests.

During your pre-op visit, you'll meet some of the doctors and nurses who will be taking care of you when you come back for your operation. (One of the doctors will probably be an anesthesiologist, who will give you medicine to help you sleep through your whole surgery!) You'll also have a chance to talk with a child life specialist about your upcoming visit and how to prepare for it.

Our classmates have written a couple of reports about what your visit might be like when you return to the hospital for your operation. If you'll only need to be here for one day, check out what Arthur and Buster wrote about a doctor visit. If you'll be staying overnight, look at what Muffy and Binky wrote about a hospital stay.

If you want to find out more about the Pre-Op Clinic, you can check out this cool video tour!

And that's our Field Trip Report. It's nice and short ... and, of course, very well researched!

Page 1
Coming to the hospital for an overnight stay? Our report will tell you what to expect.

Children's Hospital Boston is a great place for kids. Everyone here is really helpful, and they work very hard to make your stay the best it can be. You can tell right away when you walk into the main lobby and look around ... this place loves kids!

While you're here, you'll stay in a room with a cool remote-control bed! There are lots of places to play, like the activity rooms and the Patient Entertainment Center. You can even borrow games and books from the Center for Families.

I'm also very happy to report that there are LOTS of places to buy stuff. I don't understand why, but Binky was less excited about shopping and more excited about the funky garden that sits in the middle of all the hospital buildings.

After shopping and exploring the garden, Binky and I were starving, but we couldn't agree on where to eat lunch. Luckily, there are lots of great places to eat, so we each got exactly what we wanted.

Page 2
This place is filled with doctors and nurses and all kinds of people who are specially trained to help you. There are nutritionists, radiologists...actually, there are a lot of "ists" working here. A surgeon wearing clothes called scrubs

If you're having surgery (also called an "operation"), you'll meet an anesthesiologist, who will give you medicine to help you sleep through the whole thing. When you wake up afterward, you'll be all set up in the recovery room!

Wait...I just realized there are more "ists." (Wow...it's like an "ist" convention here.) There are also speech therapists, physical therapists, and child life specialists. And some people here specialize in checking your blood. The Brain told us that these people are called... can you guess?... phlebotomISTS.

People to Meet
We made a list of everyone we met during our field trip to Children's Hospital Boston. Click on the links below to meet them yourself and learn what they do here.

Remember that you probably won't meet all of these people during your visit. To find out whom you are most likely to meet, read the school report about your type of visit (Doctor Visit, Pre-Op Visit, or Hospital Stay).

Anesthesiologist
If you're having an operation, you'll meet a doctor like me. I'm an anesthesiologist. It's my job to make sure you're comfortable during your procedure or operation.

Before the operation, I'll start giving you a special medicine called "anesthesia." This medicine helps you sleep. As a matter of fact, you'll sleep through the whole operation! And you know what else? You won't feel a thing! ARTHUR

When the operation is over, I'll stop giving you the medicine, and you'll wake up. Then your doctors can let you know what you missed!

Child Life Specialist
As a child life specialist, I spend my time helping kids feel comfortable with being at the hospital.

I can help you understand why you are visiting the hospital and what you can expect while you're here. I can also help you talk through how you're feeling about being sick and about being in the hospital. ARTHUR

I've got lots of games, movies and toys for you to enjoy during your stay. Sometimes we might play in one of our cool activity rooms, and sometimes I will bring the fun stuff right to YOUR room!

Clown
Children's Hospital Boston has a Big Apple Circus Clown Care Program(sm). No kidding…I work there!

The clowns in our unit dress up as doctors and nurses, and visit kids all over the hospital. We love making kids laugh. We like to play music, juggle and do magic with kids, too!

We don't mean to honk our own horns, but we are REALLY good clowns. We all trained with the famous Big Apple Circus, so we know funny. ARTHUR

When you're here, be sure to ask your nurse about catching our act. We'd love to meet you!

Doctor
There are lots of different kinds of doctors. I am a pediatrician, which means I take care of kids.

I often see kids for regular appointments. At these check-ups, I'll do a simple exam to make sure your body is running smoothly.

Other doctors work with kids who might need certain kinds of care. For example, some doctors work with your heart, your bones, your eyes or your lungs. ARTHUR

Doctors study medicine for a very long time, so we really know our stuff. Feel free to ask lots of questions (and to share a good knock-knock joke!).

Housekeeping Staff
It's important that the hospital is always very clean. That's where the housekeeping staff comes in!

I am part of a whole team of people who work to keep the hospital free of germs and bacteria so that patients can get better faster.

You'll see our staff all over the hospital during your visit. We cover every inch of the place! All the floors in the hospital are washed everyday, and each patient's room is cleaned one or two times a day. ARTHUR

When you see us, don't be afraid to say hello! We'd love to meet you.

Nurse
I studied for a long time to become a nurse. My job is to work with your doctors and to make you comfortable during your visit.

I collect a lot of information about how your body is doing. So I might take your temperature, measure your blood pressure, or listen to your chest. Your doctors and I will use this information to decide what medicines you might need and when it is time for you to go home. ARTHUR

I am always close by whenever you need me -- day or night. You can tell me how you're feeling and ask me as many questions as you like.

Pawprints
My name is Amos. I am a red golden retriever. I am almost 9 years old. I love stuffed animals, almonds, hot dogs and sleeping in the sun.

I work with lots of other dogs in the hospital's Pawprints program. We love visiting with kids! If your doctor and your parents say it's okay, one of us can come and meet you while you're here. ARTHUR

You'll have a chance to pet and play with me or one of my friends when we are brought up to your floor. (And if it turns out to be me, could you get that annoying itch behind my left ear when I see you? Thanks!)

Physical Therapist
If you need to strengthen some of your muscles, you'll visit a physical therapist like me.

Sometimes muscles can get weak when they are injured or when you are sick. I use lots of cool toys and exercises to help you make your body stronger. I can also show you how to use tools like crutches or a wheelchair. ARTHUR

You might need to visit me once or a bunch of times. Just remember that it will take some patience and practice. But don't worry…you'll get lots of support from me, and from your family and friends.

Social Worker
As a social worker, I support kids and their families during their hospital visits.

I can help answer any questions you have that might be making you feel confused, angry or sad.

I can also help your parents learn more about the hospital. There are lots of places and people that can make things a little easier during your stay, so I want to make sure they know all about them! ARTHUR

I love getting to meet so many fantastic kids and families!

Places and Things
A hospital can feel like a big place if you don't know your way around. So we checked out as many places as we could during our tour. Click on the links below to see what we found.

Remember that you probably won't see all of these places during your visit. To find out what you are most likely to see, read the school report about your type of visit (Doctor Visit, Pre-Op Visit, or Hospital Stay).

Activity Rooms
Wouldn't it be cool if hospitals had special activity rooms where kids could play games, tackle puzzles, create art projects and explore on computers?

Well, guess what!

The activity rooms at Children's Hospital Boston are for FUN ONLY. This rule is strictly enforced! Even the doctors and nurses come in just to play with the kids. ARTHUR

These rooms always seem to be busy and full of laughter. The child life specialists who work in them can help you find lots of cool things to do (sometimes they even set up video game tournaments!). So you're sure to find something to keep you smiling.

Blood Lab
Did you know that many people working in the hospital are detectives? They're always looking for clues to find out what makes kids sick.

Don't worry... you didn't do anything wrong! The hospital 'detective work' is only to help the doctors figure out how to make you feel better."

A special kind of detective work happens in a place called a laboratory.

At the blood laboratory, they may take a tiny sample of your blood and look at it under the microscope. They get a lot of clues from your blood, because it carries all kinds of tiny cells around your body. ARTHUR

Buster and Arthur think these laboratory detectives should star in their own comic book!

Center for Families
Children's Hospital Boston takes really good care of families. They set up the Center for Families as a home base for a lot of useful resources.

The Center has games, toys, books and movies to borrow if you're staying overnight. (It works just like a library. You'll even get your very own library card to use while you're here!) They've got computers in the Center, too. ARTHUR

The staff can give you lots of great information about the city of Boston, like where to stay and things to do while you're here. They can also help your parents with any questions they may have about the hospital.

Look Around You
There are cool things everywhere at Children's Hospital Boston.

Take a look around and see what you can find. You might see ocean scenes, a giant weird fish, funky paintings, X-rays of teddy bears, and even a time capsule.

Write down the stuff you liked most so you can tell your friends all about it! ARTHUR

Speaking of looking around, why not play our cool scavenger hunt game while you're exploring the main lobby in Boston?

Main Lobby
Most people who come to the Boston location of Children's Hospital Boston start in this main lobby.

This huge area has fish tanks, a wishing fountain, a time capsule, TVs, a pharmacy, stores, and even a sandwich shop. Francine's favorite thing is a display of sports memorabilia from the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, the Revolution, the Bruins, and the Boston Red Sox.

Exploring this cool space is a great way to start your visit. (And if you look up toward the ceiling, you might see some familiar faces!) ARTHUR

From here, you can ask the people that work at the front desk for help, or go on your way by following the signs and symbols.

Nurses' Station
When you come to the hospital, you will always see nurses' stations.

A nurses' station is like an information desk. There is one on almost every floor of the hospital. This is where the nurses keep all of your medical information in a folder called a chart. Your doctors and your family can call this desk and ask your nurse questions about how you are feeling. You can go to the nurses' station to ask your own questions, too. ARTHUR

If you are in bed and you need something from a nurse, there is a cool button in your room that you can press to call this desk directly…without getting up!

Patient Entertainment Center
The Patient Entertainment Center, also known as the PEC, is just what it sounds like: an entertainment center for patients!

The PEC hosts fun events like music shows, magic shows, and bingo tournaments. The event schedule is posted next to the PEC stage and in all of the activity rooms.

Sometimes you can catch PEC shows on the hospital's cable channel on the TV in your room. (Yes…they have their very own cable channel!) ARTHUR

Even when the show is done, you can still have fun dancing on the PEC stage, playing music on the jukebox, or challenging your brother or sister to a game of Pac-man.

Places to Buy Stuff
Muffy wanted to make sure we mentioned all the places to buy stuff in the area. We'll try to get through this as quickly and painlessly as possible. Here goes:

The hospital has a pharmacy and a great gift shop. Outside the hospital, there's a food court called the Galleria and more stores. ARTHUR

If you get the chance to go a little farther, the town next door (Brookline) has some terrific shops, and it's a great place to take a walk with your family. You're also not too far from downtown Boston, and there's just a TON of great shopping there (apparently).

Phew. Done.

Places to Eat
Buster researched this one, and he says there's lots of great food here. You can get snacks or full meals.

The cafeteria on the ground floor has sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and fruits and vegetables. There's a sandwich shop in the main lobby and there are lots of vending machines around, too.

If you are staying overnight, a nurse will give you a menu so you can order right to your room, just like room service in a hotel! ARTHUR

Next door to the hospital, you can find all sorts of good stuff at this place called the Galleria. They have things like sandwich wraps, pizza, subs, hamburgers, Chinese food, Mexican food and ice cream.

Games and More
Here are some cool activities to do before, during, and even after your visit to the hospital.

Buster's Waiting Games
You may have some time on your hands when you visit Children's Hospital Boston, so you might as well have some fun. Here are some things to busy your brain while you're waiting.

First, a tip: Print this page out and bring it with you when you come to the hospital. Bring some books, pocket-sized toys, paper, pens, or playing cards, too.

And check out the Print section of the ARTHUR Web site for some other games to print and bring along!

1. Body Swap Imagine swapping places with the person waiting with you. How does that person speak, feel, or act?

2. Animal Antics Look around you at the people working in the hospital. What kind of animals would they be? (Tip: Whisper your answers on this one…trust me.)

3. Fifty States Can you name all fifty states? Can you name their capitals?

4. Alien Abduction My favorite! Pretend that aliens have taken you to their distant planet, and you have to impress them so they let you come back to earth. What everyday object would you take with you? You might have to make up a new use for it to do the trick. Maybe your wristwatch is a transporter device for delivering pizza. Maybe the buttons on your shirt are hidden cameras.

5. Just a Minute You need a clock or a watch with a second hand for this one. When the second hand gets to the 12, look away. How well can you guess when a minute has passed? Can you get any closer by trying again?

6. Alphabet Zoo Can you name an animal for each letter of the alphabet? Can you do it again without repeating any animals from your first try? You knew X would be tricky. But what about N?

7. Dog Watcher Pick up a magazine. How many pictures of dogs can you find?

8. Paper and Pen There are lots of great paper games. Try Hangman or Tic Tac Toe. Or draw a self-portrait, or a picture of something interesting you see in the room. You could also draw a mystery picture and have someone try to guess what it is.

9. Book It Here's a fun idea: read a book!

10. Words from a Word How many words can you make using the letters of a word you see in your waiting area? For example, you can make over a hundred words with the letters in HOSPITAL. If you want, you could give yourself two points for a two-letter word, three points for a three-letter word, and so on. Did you get words like TAILS or SPLIT from HOSPITAL?

11. It's a Rap Make up a rap or a poem about being in the hospital. "I came in here when I hurt my knee. I've been here since half past three…"

12. I Spy This is a great guessing game you can play with someone while you wait. Look around you and choose an object. Use the first letter of the object's name as a clue. So if you've chosen a chair as your object, say to your partner, "I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with C." Your partner can then try to guess what your object is.

13. Superhero Super You Think about what superpowers you'd like to have. Would it be better to have X-Ray vision or the ability to fly? Would you rather be able to predict the future or travel to the past?

14. TV Host If you were hosting a TV talk show, who would your guests be?

15. Vacation Planner Plan your perfect vacation.

16. Electric Mystery How many things do you see around you that need electrical power to work? Imagine what hospitals might have been like before they were able to use electricity.

17. A Deck of Cards There are lots of things you can do with playing cards. You can play Go Fish or Crazy Eights with the person waiting with you, or solitaire and sorting games on your own. (Didn't bring a deck of cards? See if the nurse has one you can borrow.)

18. Three Letters How many parts of the body can you name that have just three letters? There are lots. Hey, did you EAR me? EYE hope so!

19. President You What would you do if you were President of the United States? If you already ARE the President of the United States, imagine what you would do if you weren't.

Parents' Page
Arthur's Guide to Children's Hospital Boston has been created to help you and your child prepare for a visit to the hospital. The guide covers three types of visits: Arthur and his friends are inside the hospital

Doctor Visit

Pre-Op Visit

Hospital Stay

Using the popular ARTHUR characters from the Marc Brown books and the PBS television series, the guide describes hospital experiences in simple terms. The goal of the guide is to answer some of your child's questions about coming to the hospital and to help prepare both you and your child for the visit. While many children will be able to surf this site independently, it is highly recommended that you and your child explore this guide together.

And here's a tip: Reading is a great way to familiarize children with new concepts. Check out our Recommended Books for some suggested reading that you and your child can enjoy together.

For information geared toward grown-ups, you can visit the main Children's Hospital Boston Web site. That's where you can find general information about the hospital (such as parking and directions), as well as a rich variety of resources about each department and specialty.

This site was produced by WGBH Interactive, the producers of the PBS Web sites for both ARTHUR and POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER.