Pediatric
home nursing may help make a difference in the life of a child with a chronic
medical condition. One of the most common situations that pediatric home health
care nurses help with is caring for a premature infant who has recently come
home from the hospital. Some of the things that a pediatric home health care
nurse might do for your child include:
- Helping care for premature
infants with a vigorous care schedule. Many children who were born
prematurely are on medication and feeding schedules that are quite
different from what parents are used to. Oxygen and suctioning equipment,
as well as apnea monitors, may also be in use.
- Providing ventilator and
respiratory care. In many cases, a child may be on a ventilator in a
hospital setting, but have the option of being treated at home. Some
children are good candidates for being weaned off a ventilator, a
situation where a home nurse can be very helpful.
- Helping with feeding tubes.
When a child returns home from the hospital with a GI tube, a home nurse
may prove to be one of the family's most valuable resources. Their job
will be to help ensure that feedings go as planned. The nurse also has the
skills to cope with any unexpected situations that arise.
Pediatric home care nursing services may be the best solution for both children and their families. Under a nurse's care, a child may be able to recover much sooner.
