pre-wash- use batting- machine stitch the binding (front and back) and make them durable- also wash the finished quilt before giving it-
remember that in the hospital the quilts are going to go to the industrial laundry- be washed in hot water- and dried in a dryer- they will not recieve (special care) so you need to make them durable-
you may want to check to see what size they prefer also- our pediatric floor accepts quilts that are 40"x 50" up to 50" x 72" they do not want ones that will hang over the sides of the bed much- they accept different sizes- but prefer them to be on the (smaller than bed-sized) quilts
do not add buttons- or embellishments that can come off-
you could visit the Linus Project or Downy quilts for Kids web site to see the patterns they use-and sizes ===their guidelines are good to follow for most quilts going to the hospitals for children.
but durable and washable/dryable are the biggest things to be concerned with