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The Ventilator-Dependent Child: What Every Home Care Nurse Needs to Know, Home Healthcare Now

The second of two articles published in the March issue of Home Healthcare Now Journal focuses on the integral role home care nurses play in the care of medically complex pediatric patients in the home setting. Authored by a cross-departmental team at PHS that included:

  • Bruce Estrem, Bruce BA, RRT-NPS
  • Jill Wall, BSN, CRNI
  • Lindsey Paitich, BSN, RN
  • Roy Maynard, MD, FAAP

As the population of ventilator-dependent children with tracheostomies grows, there are increasing demands to shift the care of technology-dependent children from hospital to home. Home care nurses are an integral part in the continuum of care for these children and their families after hospital discharge. Home care nurses help to facilitate a safe transition from the hospital and allow families and children to thrive in their homes and community. The purpose of this article is to describe best practices in caring for children with tracheostomies and invasive home mechanical ventilation. Hypothetical case studies are presented.

Visit the Home Healthcare Now website to read the full article and access information regarding CE availability with the corresponding quiz.