The Treatment Team
(These services vary from centre to centre).
Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
The team includes heart surgeons, surgical fellows, residents, and interns who assist in caring for your child.
Pediatric Cardiology
The cardiologists share the responsibility for care of the children in the hospital. Each cardiologist is on the in-patient service for a one-month period of time. After discharge, your child's care will return to your usual cardiologist.
Case Coordinator
This RN will initiate contact with families before their child's admission to hospital, assist the team to best meet the needs of children and families during their stay in hospital, and ensure communication to referral centres following a stay in hospital.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
The NP/CNS is assigned to the in-patient service on a permanent basis. The NP/CNS helps the doctors and nurses to care for your child. They will work with you to make your hospital stay as smooth as possible. Please feel free to talk to the NP/CNS about your questions or concerns.
Pediatric Anesthesia
Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists are specially trained to care for children during open-heart surgery. The anesthesiologists direct the operating room team, and the perfusion team that run the heart bypass machine. The anesthesiologists monitor your child closely. They are responsible for all IV lines and the drugs, fluids, and solutions that your child needs during surgery. The anesthesiologist will accompany your child to the ICU or recovery room after surgery.
Intensive Care (PICU, NICU)
In the ICU, a special team of doctors (intensivists) work with the surgeons and cardiologist to provide expert care for your child. Residents and fellows assist the intensivist. The nurses in the ICU are also specially trained to provide the advanced care your child needs.
The Pediatric Cardiac Unit
The nurse in charge of the unit's operation is the Patient Care Manager. One nurse is assigned to be in charge on every shift. If you have concerns about your child's care, speak to the Charge Nurse. Staff nurses work 8 and 12 hour shifts. You will meet many nurses during your child's stay.
Cardiology Nurses
The nurses coordinate your child's heart tests while your child is in hospital and in the Cardiac Clinic. They are excellent resources about the care of children with heart problems. You can call the nurse coordinator if you have questions or concerns about your child.
Dietitans
Food specialists work with heart children and their families. They follow your child closely in hospital and after discharge. Dietitians recommend the best foods for your child to eat. Good nutrition is the key to your child's growth and development. The dietitian is only a phone call away if you have questions or concerns.
Home Care Team
If your child needs extra treatment or care, the home care nurse will be contacted before you leave the hospital. Please refer to your local pediatric cardiology team for this resource.
Pediatric Pharmacy
A pediatric pharmacist makes hospital rounds each day and provides advice about your child's medicines. The pharmacist is available to answer questions you may have about your child's medicines. Discharge prescriptions can be filled at the outpatient pharmacy.
Pediatric Consultants
Other children's specialists may help us care for your child. The team will tell you when and why a specialist has been asked to see your child. The Speech and Feeding Team help if there are worries about your child's feeding and swallowing, or if your child spits up a lot.
Children's Rehabilitation
Physiotherapists provide treatments and exercises to help your child recover. The Rehabilitation Team may be asked to help if your child has many medical problems.
Support Services
Services for Childrens with Handicaps (HCS)/Special Needs (SCN) (names differ between regions)
These services are only available to Alberta Residents. Children less than 18 years of age with chronic medical conditions or disabilities may qualify for benefits. We can provide you with the necessary medical information to apply for the support services. You must make the call yourself to register your child's name. Please call the nearest Alberta Social Services office. Applications may take a few weeks to process. Call without delay!
Social Work
Social workers are a part of the health care team and will be in contact with you in the hospital. A social worker can provide you with emotional support during your child's time in hospital. A social worker meets with families to assist with practical issues such as accommodation, transportation, and finances. The social worker can connect you to community resources that may be helpful for your family.
Chaplains
Nondenominational chaplains are available on request, 24 hours a day. The chapel is also nondenominational. It is available to patients and families, 24 hours a day.
Child Life (Playroons on each unit)
The Child Life staff will help your child adjust to the hospital. Toys, games, and movies will help while your child is sick in bed. When they are able, children are allowed to go to the playroom or teen room. Child Life staff supervises recreation activities and play.
