Children’s Heart Program of South Carolina
|
Hospital Visit The PCICU Family Information Guide is a comprehensive guide for parents and families of children who have been admitted to MUSC Children's Hospital. Newborn Admission into the Intensive Care Units PCICU Virtual Tour
If your newborn is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) after birth, you find yourself faced with separation from your baby in an atmosphere filled with unknowns. The first time you see your baby, the many tubes and monitors attached to your baby are there for your child's benefit. The nursing staff and doctors will explain each tube and monitoring device. Be sure to ask questions about anything you do not understand. Procedures performed in the intensive care units are a necessary part of your baby's work-up or recovery. You can provide the benefit of a loving one-on-one, parent-child contact. If your child's condition permits, you are encouraged to stay with, and touch, your child as often as possible. Every child in the intensive care unit receives excellent physician and nursing care, 24 hours a day. This care will hopefully enable parents to feel better about leaving the hospital and going home for a good night's rest. It may be helpful for the parent to be out of the hospital part of the day. While leaving the hospital is strictly a personal decision, remember you need to remain healthy and strong, and rest is important. When you leave the hospital, make sure you leave a number with the nurse where you can be reached. If there is a change in your child's condition, we will call you. Feel free to call at any time to check on your child. If you are planning on breastfeeding, you must realize that there will be times when it is impossible to nurse your infant. Your nurse can help you arrange to express your milk so that it can be used to feed your infant. There are breast pumps available and your nurse can order supplies needed to pump. They will also provide you with bottles and labels (you must label the bottle with the child's name and the date it was expressed). Your nurse will store the breastmilk in the freezer until it is needed. Please let your nurse know if you need any additional information. There are several lactation consultants who are available to assist you and answer any questions. The phone number is (843) 792-0780. The Atrium and Child Life Program The Atrium is designed to meet the play and activity needs of children, teens and their families during hospitalization. We recognize that a hospital stay can be stressful and upsetting. The opportunity to play is normal, familiar and comforting. Play and activities can assist children and families to cope positively with the hospital experience. The atrium is designed as a "safe place" where medical treatment and procedures do not take place. The Atrium is under the direction of the child life department. The staff is trained professionals that provide therapeutic play, emotional support and developmental assistance to patients of all ages. The Atrium is located in room 741 (7th floor) of the Children's Hospital. Atrium Policies:
Transferring to the Floor All rooms on 7C are private. When your child is ready to go to the floor, both parents will be allowed to stay with the child. Children will not be allowed to stay overnight in the room. They are allowed to visit if they are not sick. Once on 7C, there will be a primary nurse assigned to care for your child. They will help coordinate the care of your child. They will help with all your discharge teaching needs including medication teaching, help with any feeding issues and other needs you may have. They are there to make sure you are comfortable caring for your child. Your child will be monitored on telemetry, which means someone will watch your child's heart rate and rhythm 24 hours a day. Going Home You will not be allowed to take your child home without a car seat. ALL babies and children under 6 years old and less than 40 pounds are required by law to have appropriate restraints in a moving vehicle. Please arrange for a car seat before your child is discharged from the hospital. If your child will be discharged on medications, it is helpful to have your pharmacy information available. Your nurse will call the pharmacy to make sure they have or can order the medication before you go home. You will be provided with written information on all the medications your child is taking. Your nurse will make sure you understand the right amount of medication to give, and the right times to give it. Follow-Up Visits Your child's nurse or doctor will make your follow up appointments with your pediatrician (or primary care provider) and the pediatric cardiologist before your child is discharged. You will see your pediatrician within a few days after you go home and the cardiologist about one week after discharge. It is important to keep these appointments. Your nurses will provide you with written information regarding all your discharge instructions. Before you are discharged home make sure you understand your discharge instructions and all your questions are answered. If you have any questions once you get home, please feel free to call 7C at (843) 792-9280. Once you get home you will get back into your schedule. Some things to look for when you get home will include: Post-Pericardiotomy Syndrome (PPS) This is a syndrome that can occur after heart surgery. This syndrome produces swelling inside the chest. The swelling may cause fluid to build up around the heart and lungs. We do not know why this happens. It usually occurs 7-10 days after surgery. Symptoms may include:
Please call your doctor if these symptoms occur. Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis Your child's heart problem makes it possible to get a heart infection called infective endocarditis. Bacteria can enter the blood stream during procedures and surgeries. The bacteria can cause an infection of the heart lining and the valves. Antibiotics are given to prevent the infection from starting. Before your child goes to the dentist, he will have to take antibiotics to prevent infection. With any other surgery, your child will need to have antibiotics as well. Always tell your doctor about your child's heart problem. Ask your doctor how long your child will need bacterial endocarditis protection. More information will be provided with your discharge paperwork. Your nurses and doctors are always available to answer any questions about the care of your child. We want you to be comfortable taking care of your child when you are home. REMEMBER to treat your child like a normal, healthy child. Crying will not hurt your child's heart. It may take up to 3-4 weeks for your child to act like their old self. Support your child and family and life will return to normal soon. |
www.musckids.com
171 Ashley Ave. Charleston, SC 29425 · 843-792-1414 · 800-424-MUSC
© 2003 MUSC Children's Hospital