After days, weeks or even months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), many babies are healthy enough to go home. Follow-up care is essential to the health of a newborn. At Comer Children's, infants who spend time in the Margaret M. and George A. Stephen NICU receive specialized and coordinated follow-up care after they are discharged through our Center for Healthy Families. The center uses a multidisciplinary care approach that involves:
- General pediatricians
- Neonatologists
- Nurse educators
- Pediatric social workers
- Registered dietitians
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Speech therapists
- Home health nurses
The center also draws on the expertise of other pediatric specialists as needed. The team addresses a host of concerns, including medical and physical needs, development, motor skills, speech, growth, nutrition and the home environment. Available by pager 24 hours a day, team members also teach parents how to give medications, monitor symptoms and take other steps to meet their child’s special needs. Sometimes team members even visit the child’s home to help parents and caregivers adapt the physical and emotional environment to support the child’s needs.
One child at a time, one step at a time, the Center for Healthy Families and the NICU at Comer Children's help give children the best chance for a healthy life.