Caregiving Team
When Our Family Meets Yours
You and your child are the most important members of your health care team. Working with you, the health care team develops a treatment plan for your child and works closely with you and your child through the entire hospital stay.
It all starts with a family meeting. Soon after your child arrives, the caregiving team will meet together, and with you, to discuss your child's progress. It's important for you to attend the family meeting and ask any questions that you may have.
People in these four roles will be a part of the caregiving team:
- Physician and Nurse Practitioners meet with your child every day, help make decisions about your child's care and are in contact with you regularly to discuss your child's progress.
- Nurses and Patient Care Assistants care for your child each day, including taking vital signs, giving medications and providing other care as needed.
- Social Workers are here to help your child and family to adjust to your child's current abilities, help address challenges and identify community resources to make the transition home as smooth as possible.
- Care Managers can assist you with financial matters regarding your child's treatment plan. They communicate with the caregiving team, patient, family and insurance company from the day your child arrives to the day they go home. They will also assist with your discharge planning.
Here When You Need Us
Depending on your child's needs, your caregiving team may include some of these specialists as well. They're here to answer your questions, address your concerns and help your child be healthy and well.
- Child Life Specialist and Recreation Therapy Staff provide developmental and recreational opportunities to help your child adjust to hospitalization and to the transition home.
- Dietitians are here to ensure your child's nutritional needs are met at the hospital and that you're prepared for feeding at home, too.
- Infection Preventionist works to identify, prevent and control outbreaks of infection in the hospital and the community.
- Neuropsychologists assess your child's thinking skills, provide education and support, and prepare them to go back to school.
- Nurse Managers are responsible for the development and administration of the nursing department's goals and objectives.
- Nursing Students work under the supervision of experienced nursing staff on a clinical rotation for a local accredited nursing program.
- Nurse Team Leaders are responsible for the day-to-day function on your child's unit and will address any issues, should they arise.
- Patient-Family Liaisons are here to help if you need assistance during your stay, or if you have concerns. Call 410-578-2651.
- Psychologists are available to consult with your child, and/or your family to help them cope, relax and manage pain.
- Rehab Technicians assist your child during the day to fully participate in the rehabilitation program.
- Therapists and Assistants may provide physical, occupational and/or speech therapy. they will work with your child on treatment goals.
- Respiratory Therapist help children and babies breathe easier, giving oxygen and aerosol medication, doing chest physical therapy and sometimes using equipment, such as ventilators, that help the lungs heal.
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital also has a consultant staff of specialists that include cardiologists, pulmonologists, urologists, orthopedists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, surgeons, and ear, nose and throat specialists. Occasionally, your physician will consult with these doctors to plan your child's individual treatment needs.