There’s No Place Like a
Children’s Hospital
 When you walk into a children’s hospital,
you see families who never expected
to be there. Whether they are dealing with
a simple ear infection or a complex heart
transplant, they are worried and upset that
their child is suffering. But they’re in good
hands. Children’s hospitals treat more
than 1 million hospitalized children each
year, and they all share one specialty —
keeping children healthy.
The National Association of Children’s
Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI)
estimates there are approximately 250 to
275 children’s hospitals in the United States,
representing about 5 percent of our nation’s
hospitals. More than 190 of those hospitals
are members of NACHRI, which helps the
hospitals fulfill their common missions of
providing quality clinical care, conducting
lifesaving research, educating the next
generation of pediatricians and advocating
on behalf of all children.
While some children’s hospitals are
large freestanding institutions, others are
part of larger medical centers. Some are
specialty hospitals that focus on areas
such as rehabilitation or burn care. But all
provide the highly specialized and familyfriendly
care children need. Whether a
child has a respiratory or gastrointestinal
problem or needs neonatal intensive care
— the three conditions children are
hospitalized for most frequently —
children’s hospitals are able to attend to
their medical and psychological needs.
 Children’s hospitals strive to meet the
needs of the children in their communities,
regardless of ability to pay. And just as
children depend on children’s hospitals,
children’s hospitals depend on you.
Support your local children’s hospital by
making a financial donation, volunteering
or advocating to your legislators the
importance of children’s hospitals to
all children.
To Learn More
For more information about your local
children’s hospital and pediatricians
in your area, call Kapi‘olani Health
Connection at 808-535-7000.
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