Follow-Up and Clinic Visits

• Every baby who goes home from the NICU will need a pediatrician or family practice physician for routine medical care, such as well child visits and immunizations.

• Babies who might be at risk for developmental problems, or are discharged to home on oxygen or apnea monitors, will also be followed in one of our developmental clinics.

• Both the neonatal and BPD clinics give special care during your baby’s first two years. The first two years is an important time for fast growth and development. When problems and concerns are found early, therapy can work much better.

• Your baby’s case manager will make the first clinic appointment for two weeks to a month after discharge. If your baby goes home on oxygen, you will go to BPD clinic. Otherwise, you will go to neonatal clinic.

• Soon after discharge, you will get a clinic information packet in the mail.

• Your baby’s first visit to the clinic lasts about one hour. It will include a weight and nutrition assessment, physical exam, and apnea monitor download, if needed.

• Your baby will see many different health care team members, including nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitian/diet tech, and physician.

• Later, your baby will be seen by Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy. They will see how your baby is developing. If your baby is on oxygen, a plan for weaning will be discussed. These visits can last 1½ to 2½ hours.

• If you have concerns about transportation to clinic visits, let the clinic staff know. Help may be available. Social workers are also available, as needed.

• Thank you so much for all the work you have done so far to help your baby grow and develop. We are thrilled that we can continue to work with you after discharge to help your baby become as strong and healthy as he or she can be.

Consent for Clinic Visits

Designation of Another Person to Consent for Medical Care