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Back to What Should I Expect?
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There are many specialists who assist patients and families during a hospitalization at Childrens Hospital Boston. On our Cardiovascular Program team, we have medical experts and other professionals to help with your family's well-being and peace of mind.
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Cardiologists diagnose and manage heart disease in newborns, infants, children, adolescents and adults. Many cardiologists specialize in one aspect of cardiac care, such as catheterization, echocardiography, intensive care unit, electrophysiology or adult care. The Cardiovascular Program at Children's has 50 cardiologists on staff. Each patient has a primary cardiologist, but other cardiologists may be involved in a patient's care as well.
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There are four world-renowned cardiac surgeons on staff at Children's. They perform surgical procedures to treat congenital defects of the heart. Children's has one of the largest cardiac surgery programs in the world. In addition, the first surgical procedure to correct a congenital heart defect in a child was performed at Children's Hospital Boston in 1938.
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More than 150 specialized cardiovascular nurses work in all areas of the Cardiovascular Program. The nurses provide assessment, physical care and emotional support to patients and families, as well as information, education and coordination of care. There will be a nurse responsible for your child's care at all times.
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Nurse practitioners are nurses who have advanced education and specialized skills in cardiovascular care. They participate in the diagnosis, management and coordination of care for patients with heart disease.
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Pediatric anesthesiologists assume an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. A wide range of anesthesia techniques - from light sedation to general anesthesia - are used to meet the special needs of each patient. Pain management, following procedures, is another concern and priority of the Cardiac Anesthesia Service. There is also a Pain Management service within the Department of Anesthesia.
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A professionally trained child life specialist is available to help your child cope with hospitalization. The Child Life Specialist seeks to enhance patient's emotional, social, and cognitive growth during a hospital visit. She uses developmental interventions and play to help patient's and families adjust to and understand health care experiences. The child life specialist can also help you understand your child's behavior while in the hospital. They provide information on common reactions and how best to support your child during her stay. The Child Life Specialist introduces herself and explains her services to both patient and family and will touch base routinely throughout their stay.
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A child psychiatric consultant and the hospital's Medical Coping Clinic are available to provide emotional and supportive care for you and your child. If you would like to talk to a counselor, we encourage you to contact your primary physician or nurse to arrange an appointment.
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The Perfusionist is the member of the Cardiac Operating Room team that sets up, monitors and controls the Heart-Lung Machine during open-heart surgery. The heart lung machine is used when it's necessary to support or temporarily replace the patient's circulatory or respiratory function. While on bypass, the perfusionist controls the patient's blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs under the direction of the team physicians.
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Hospital volunteers visit patient care units daily to provide companionship and amusement to patients.
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Interpreters for more than 35 languages, including sign language, are available to assist patients and families. Spanish speaking interpreters and social workers are available 24 hours a day for families who speak Spanish. If you will require an interpreter, please notify Interpreter Services, prior to admitting your child to the hospital, so we can be prepared upon your arrival. 617-355-7198
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A licensed clinical social worker is available to meet with you and your family. Social workers are a part of a clinical team working with you and your child. They are experts in helping parents and families adjust to the emotional impact of a child's illness and hospitalization, by providing support and counseling services. Because every family and every situation is different, the social worker is available to help you determine your specific needs and assist you with them.
Social workers are also available to provide you with information about specialized services and resources that parents often find useful in adjusting to the hospital, as well as adjusting to home life after hospitalization. For more information, or to request a visit from a social worker, please call the Social Work Department at 617-355-7965, or ask your child's nurse to call for you.
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A resource specialist is available to assist you with practical concerns, such as housing and transportation. To ensure these needs are met, we recommend that parents contact a resource specialist prior to their child's hospitalization by calling 617-355-7965.
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The clinical dietitian is a registered dietician who can help with your child's specific diet concerns. Many newborns with congestive heart disease require special high-calorie formula and they can assist you with this and any other dietary needs and concerns.
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The patient care coordinator is a nurse who can help you if your child needs special discharge planning arrangements. The coordinator also gets any important medical information to your insurance company to certify inpatient hospitalizations.
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About our family support services...
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