Cardiology Unit

On your child’s arrival, the nursing team will welcome and orient you to the unit. The doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses will have discussed your child’s care with the ICU team.

Usually, the rooms on the cardiology unit have space for 2 caregivers to stay overnight and there is a bathroom/ shower in each room. There is often a unit kitchen equipped with coffee, microwave, and refrigerator/freezer for food that has not yet entered the patient room.

Your child’s care team will make rounds every morning to discuss the day’s medical plan for your child, and you are encouraged to join this discussion. It’s a great time to ask questions that can clear up any doubts you may have. If the discussion about your questions takes a long time, the medical team may ask to come back later in the day to finish the conversation.

We want to help you learn how to take care of your child at home. We will encourage you to provide care for your child while on the cardiology unit. This is the best place to learn the skills that you need to care for your child at home.

Some specifics teaching points:

• Newborn care, including safe sleep principles and car seat safety
• How to safely give medicines to your child
• Detailed, safe feeding plan
• Wound care
• Things to watch for (Red flags) and precautions

Most children will recover from surgery in the ICU and the cardiology unit before going home. Each unit is different and designed to meet your child’s recovery needs.

ICU

After surgery, your child will stay in the ICU. Generally, the nurses will only care for your child or one additional child.

• Parents are often not allowed to sleep in the room
• The primary decision maker for your child’s care is the cardiac intensivist
• Nursing assessments are every 1-2 hours
• Parents are limited in the direct care they can provide for their child

Cardiology Unit

As your child heals, they are moved to the cardiology unit before going home. Here, you will be more involved in your child’s care so you can prepare to care for your child at home.

• One nurse will care for 3-4 children
• Parents are usually allowed to sleep in the room
• The primary decision maker for your child is the cardiologist
• Nursing assessments are every two to four hours
• Parents are encouraged to assist in all care for their child

1. Are there opportunities for families to participate in daily rounds?
2. Are there specific educational materials to help me care for my child at home?
3. What is the visitor policy of the cardiology unit?

Most children will recover from surgery in the ICU and the cardiology unit before going home. Each unit is different and designed to meet your child’s recovery needs.