Sometimes, your doctor decides you need to be admitted to the hospital (that means you will stay overnight). He or she either needs to find out about something going on inside your body or has decided you need special medicine, surgery, or other treatment for a health problem. Your doctor will call the hospital to tell the staff that you're coming, and you will go to the admissions office to check in.
Another way that kids might be admitted to the hospital is through the emergency room. You might go to the emergency room (or ER) if you are feeling very sick or have been injured, especially if your doctor or parent feels that you need medical attention right away. In the ER, the doctors and nurses will take care of you and help you feel better. If you need to stay overnight at the hospital, someone from the hospital staff will take you and your parents to your hospital room when you are finished in the ER.
When you go into the hospital, you will probably see your mom or dad fill out a lot of different papers. It's important for the hospital to have your name, address, phone number, birth date, and other information, like if you take any medicines or have any allergies. You might be asked a lot of questions (sometimes again and again) like your name, your birthday, and if you have pain. If you don't understand a question, it can help to ask your parents — or the doctor or nurse taking care of you — to explain.