Who is on My Child's Health Care Team?

---

Your child receives care from a team of specialists. They are experts in all aspects of helping children with heart defects.

Anesthesiologist - The anesthesiologist (an-us-thee-zee-AWL-oh-jist) is a doctor trained in helping a child relax or fall asleep with medicines. An anesthesiologist takes care of your child during the entire surgery. This doctor also gives your child medicines to help keep him comfortable immediately after surgery.

Cardiothorcic Surgeon - Cardiothoracic Surgeons John A. Hawkins, MD, Peter C. Kouretas, MD, PhD, Phillip T. Burch, MD and A. K. Kaza, MD are doctors who specialize in heart surgery. These doctors are responsible for all aspects of your child's care during his/her hospital stay. They will direct the medical team caring for your child and visit your child daily in the hospital.

Cardiac Surgery Fellow - Fellows are doctors who have completed a medical residency and are receiving advanced training in a particular medical specialty. They help care for your child on a daily basis.

Cardiologist - A cardiologist (card-ee-AWL-oh-jist) is a doctor who specializes in treating heart problems. Your child has his own cardiologist that diagnosed the heart problem and referred you to the surgeon. A cardiologist visits your child daily in the hospital. This doctor may be your child's doctor or one of his or her partners.

Chaplain - The chaplain is available to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff. Your own bishop, pastor, priest, rabbi, or other spiritual support person is welcome to visit as well. Your child's nurse can help you to contact the chaplain if you would like to meet with him.

Child Life Specialists - Child life specialists meet the developmental needs of patients and families in health care settings. Through age-appropriate activities and interactions, children are encouraged to express their fears, angers, and concerns. Child life specialists also prepare patients and families for procedures, and help them cope with their health care experiences.

Discharge Planner - The discharge planner is a registered nurse who helps coordinate your child's hospital care and plans for your child to return home.

Family - You are an important part of the team working to make your son or daughter well. As a source of information, security, and comfort, you can help make your child more at ease in unfamiliar surroundings. You can help your family by always being honest. Your child will lose trust if you don't tell the truth, even if it seems difficult.

Home Care Services - You may need home care services from your chosen home care company. They are not employees of the hospital or your doctor's office. The home care company you choose depends on where you live, the type of service you need, and your insurance coverage, Some of the services that these companies offer include providing supplies, giving medicine at home, and monitoring your child's progress.

Interpreters - Interpreters are available to help patients, parents, and staff communicate in their native language about medical and other information.

Nurse Practitioners - These nurses have advanced training in specialized types of patient care. They help care for your child on a daily basis.

Perfusionist - The perfusionist (per-FEVV-zjun-ist) is a specialist trained in running the heart-lung machine. If your child has open-heart surgery, the perfusionist is there to run the machine that takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the operation.

Pharmacists - Pharmacists are trained to prepare and dispense medicines. They can tell you how to use a medicine properly, how different drugs may interact, and how a drug may affect your child.

Radiology Technicians - Radiology technicians perform x-rays, ultrasounds, CAT scans, MRI scans and other tests to help doctors diagnose and treat patients. See Common Tests Your Child May Need at this website for more information on these tests.

Registered Dietitian - A dietitian monitors your child's nutrition and can talk with you about improving your child's nutrition. A dietitian is available every day.

Registered Nurses - The registered nurses at Primary Children's are all trained to work with children. They care for your child day and night. They help plan and coordinate care with you and the rest of the care team.

Respiratory Therapists - Respiratory therapists are breathing specialists who monitor your child's breathing and provide oxygen and breathing treatments for your child. They also help manage the respirator if your child requires a breathing machine (Ventilator).

Social Workers - Social workers are experts in the psychological and social effects of a hospital stay on the family. They can help you through a crisis or day-to-day problems with family, school, or work. Social workers can also put you in touch with additional community resources. The goal of this team member is to help your family prevent and cope with financial, social, or psychological problems.