| Discharge planning coordinator | 1791.00000000000 | Discharge planning coordinator | Discharge planning coordinator | D | English | Neonatology | Premature;Newborn (0-28 days);Baby (1-12 months) | NA | NA | Health care professionals | Prenatal
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-10-31T04:00:00Z | | Andrew James, MBChB, MBI, FRACP, FRCPC | | | | 11.2000000000000 | 45.0000000000000 | 707.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Before leaving an NICU, a discharge planning coordinator will help parents get ready to take their child home. </p> | <p>A discharge planning coordinator is a health professional with expertise in helping families arrange for the follow-up care they need after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or the hospital. Discharge planning coordinators are usually registered nurses. Not every hospital or NICU will have a discharge planner, however, someone at the hospital, again, probably a nurse, will be charged with this job among others. If you are not approached about discharge, you should ask one of the nurses to put you in touch with someone who can help with discharge. </p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>A discharge planning coordinator helps families arrange for follow-up care after discharge from the NICU.</li>
<li>Discharge planning coordinators can help with drug coverage, finding medical supplies for home, parent education and teaching, ongoing care and travel arrangements, among other things.</li></ul> | <p>The discharge planning coordinator works closely with the multidisciplinary team in the NICU. Because these people are knowledgeable about premature babies, they can help you prepare to take your baby home. They will help connect you with the specialized services and resources available in your own community. They can also bring issues specific to your family to the attention of other members of the health care team. </p>
<h2>When would you see the discharge planning coordinator?</h2>
<p>Discharge planning starts on the day your premature baby is admitted to the NICU. The discharge planning coordinator may get in touch with you quite early, even if your premature baby is not expected to be discharged for a while. This provides more time for securing the supports that may be necessary. </p>
<p>The discharge planning coordinator is aware of child/family needs and develops the discharge plan that is most appropriate for each child. The discharge planning coordinator can play a key role when a child: </p>
<ul>
<li>has a complex medical condition </li>
<li>requires medical equipment at home </li>
<li>is physically or developmentally challenged </li>
<li>has rehabilitation needs </li>
<li>has palliative care needs </li>
</ul>
<h2>Can you contact the discharge planning coordinator?</h2>
<p>Yes. If you haven't yet met the discharge planning coordinator and you have any concerns about going home, ask the nurse to arrange a meeting. </p>
<h2>How can the discharge planning coordinator help you?</h2>
<p>The discharge planning coordinator can help when:</p>
<ul>
<li>Nursing or other professional services are required in the home. </li>
<li>Drug coverage is needed. </li>
<li>Medical supplies and equipment, such as home oxygen or feeding tube supplies, are necessary. </li>
<li>You want to find out whether your child is eligible for the variety of government programs that offer assistance to children. </li>
<li>Information is needed on resources available for the family in the community, including nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and child development services. </li>
<li>Parent education and teaching is needed at home. </li>
<li>You need to know more about your health care benefits and insurance from work. </li>
<li>A child would benefit from ongoing specialized care for rehabilitation or transitional support. </li>
<li>Palliative care services such as pain and symptom control, emotional and/or spiritual support, and respite or hospice care are needed. </li>
</ul>
<p>The discharge planning coordinator may also help with travel arrangements, particularly if you are from out of town or out of province or state. You may require: </p>
<ul>
<li>transfers to community hospitals if a further period of ongoing care is needed </li>
<li>ambulance transfer, by air or land, either home or to another hospital </li>
<li>other travel arrangements </li>
</ul>
<p>The discharge planning coordinator works closely with the coordinators of community-based services, who will also meet with you to discuss their services. Services that may be available to you are home visiting or complex nursing support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietitians, social workers, and speech therapists. </p>
<p>The discharge planning coordinator knows that a premature baby's hospitalization is a stressful time. You may not be thinking ahead to what happens after your baby leaves the NICU or hospital. But most families will benefit from follow-up care in the home or the community. It is important to take advantage of these worthwhile services. The discharge planning coordinator is committed to helping you address any concerns you have, making sure your child has the best possible health care, and ensuring you're in the best position to deal with any challenges that you may face. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Discharge planning coordinator | | False | | | | | |
