My son underwent an adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and pharyngoplasty on July 1, 2026. The surgery…read morewas successful, and I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Baldassari. She was exceptional, as was Ryan, the registered nurse who cared for my son in the post-operative unit.
About a week before surgery, I was informed that only one parent would be allowed to stay overnight. After surgery, we were transferred to 7C - POD A, where Mikayla was our registered nurse during the day shift (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) on Wednesday and Thursday.
I was told my son would need to stay overnight so the medical team could monitor his fluid intake and ensure he was able to take his medications. When we arrived in Room 718A, I noticed there was another patient area on the opposite side of a curtain. I asked Mikayla if another family could be assigned to the room, and she confirmed that they could. Since there was only one bathroom, it would also have to be shared.
I immediately had concerns about this arrangement. There was very little privacy, and I did not feel comfortable or safe not knowing who might be staying on the other side of the curtain. Sharing a bathroom with another family also raised concerns about sanitation. After we settled into the room, Mikayla brought in IV Tylenol and explained that the physician had ordered Motrin to be given orally, which made sense because they wanted to monitor my son's ability to swallow. However, I mentioned that Ryan and Dr. Baldassari had both informed me that my son would also receive a steroid to help reduce swelling in his throat. Mikayla was unaware of this medication at first, but after I explained what I had been told, the steroid was eventually administered through his IV.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, another family was admitted to the other side of our room. It appeared to be a husband, wife, and their child. My concern is this: if I was told only one parent could stay overnight, why was it acceptable for two parents to stay with another patient in the same room? In addition, I could clearly hear conversations regarding that child's medical care and upcoming procedure. This was a significant violation of patient privacy. Sharing a room separated only by a curtain, along with sharing a bathroom, did not seem appropriate from either a privacy or sanitation standpoint.
Unfortunately, my interactions with Mikayla became increasingly uncomfortable. I felt that she became visibly frustrated with me. She rolled her eyes, and her tone of voice changed after I expressed that I did not want to stay another night with my three-year-old son.
I understood the medical team's concerns because my son was reluctant to take his Tylenol and Motrin by mouth and had not met the required fluid intake. He drank approximately 190 mL instead of the required 300 mL for discharge. However, I explained that he is only three years old, had just undergone major surgery, and was not in a familiar environment. I assured her that he would likely drink more and take his medication once he returned home.
Later that morning, after I asked when the doctor would be coming by, Mikayla stated that the physician had already seen me. I explained that a doctor briefly came into the room around 6:00 a.m., which startled me because I was asleep, and I was not under the impression that another overnight stay would be necessary. I politely requested to speak with the physician again. Mikayla appeared irritated and responded that she would send the doctor a message herself.
After breakfast, Mikayla returned and informed me that she was preparing my son's discharge paperwork so we could "skedaddle." I found that comment to be unprofessional and inappropriate when speaking to a patient's family. While reviewing the discharge instructions, she repeatedly asked me, "Make sense?" I felt that her communication was condescending rather than respectful.
I already had Tylenol and Motrin at home, but Dr. Baldassari had informed me that a prescription for Dexamethasone would also be sent to our pharmacy. I asked Mikayla whether that prescription had been sent. She stated that she was unsure and would contact the physician. After we packed our belongings, she returned and asked which pharmacy we used instead of confirming that the prescription had already been sent. I explained that we live in North Carolina and asked that it be sent to our local CVS pharmacy.
I never received a notification from the pharmacy that day. The following morning, July 3, 2026, I contacted the hospital and spoke with the charge nurse on the morning regarding the prescription for Dexamethasone. The charge nurse searched the system and told me the prescription was sent to CHKD outpatient pharmacy located downstairs in the hospital. I informed her I told Mikayla before I left yesterday and I watched her right the pharmacy down to send the order to due me living in North Carolina. The charge nurse explained it wasn't Mikayla's fault.
