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Transition from Hospital to Home

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Caring for the Ventilator Dependent Child

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

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Abstract

Transitioning a ventilator-dependent child from the hospital to a home in which the family safely and independently provides care requires a comprehensive discharge plan. This includes a coordinated effort between a skilled multidisciplinary discharge planning team and the child’s caregivers.

There are both benefits and risks of providing care at home. Following specific pre-discharge criteria has been found to reduce the risks, hospital length of stay, unplanned readmissions, and post-discharge medical costs. Criteria includes having a medically stable child, committed caregivers who can competently and independently provide daily care, a safe home environment, appropriate medical equipment, and qualified home nursing staff.

Early identification of barriers to discharge and open communication between the caregivers and medical team are the best ways to minimize the risk of a delayed discharge. Caregivers often underestimate the burden of caring for a ventilator-dependent child at home and its impact on the entire family, therefore it is paramount that realistic expectations be established. Providing caregivers with a variety of progressive learning activities and multiple opportunities to practice medical interventions, including in-hospital family stays, builds their confidence and competence. Assisting caregivers with home preparation and community integration, obtaining medical equipment and nursing staff, providing information on outpatient care, and development of an emergency and transportation plan to be followed at home are also key components to a smooth and successful transition to home.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Respiratory Care Discharge Planner, Respiratory Care Services, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA

    Sherry L. Barnhart R.R.T-.N.P.S., F.A.A.R.C.

  2. Arkansas Children’s Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

    April Carpenter A.P.R.N.

Authors
  1. Sherry L. Barnhart R.R.T-.N.P.S., F.A.A.R.C.
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  2. April Carpenter A.P.R.N.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sherry L. Barnhart R.R.T-.N.P.S., F.A.A.R.C. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, BALTIMORE, Maryland, USA

    Laura M. Sterni

  2. Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

    John L. Carroll

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Barnhart, S.L., Carpenter, A. (2016). Transition from Hospital to Home. In: Sterni, L., Carroll, J. (eds) Caring for the Ventilator Dependent Child. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3749-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3749-3_6

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3747-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3749-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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