Discharge Planning
Your baby will go to the step-down unit (H4A) when they are ready to leave the cardiac intensive care unit (H4B). This happens when your baby is off the breathing machine and can tolerate heart medicines and feedings. While on the step-down unit, your baby will learn to eat, slowly come off oxygen, and continue to recover from surgery. Your baby will go home once he or she has stable oxygen levels and is gaining weight on the home-going feeding plan. This usually takes at least 3 to 4 weeks after surgery or longer. Your baby may go home eating by mouth, but some babies may need help getting the calories needed. The total time your baby will stay in the hospital depends on whether or not he or she was born prematurely or if there are other problems.
Hospital staff will make sure you and your baby are ready for home. The therapists that are tracking your baby’s development will give ideas for continued care. Social workers will continue to help you with resources. Our psychologist and chaplains will continue to support you on the step-down unit. You will have a discharge conference call with your pediatrician and the cardiologist, nurses, and dietitians before you are sent home. This helps your pediatrician to know what has happened to your baby before they come to their first doctor’s visit. It also gives you time to ask questions.
Education
- You will need to do CPR training in the Columbus Blue Jackets Family Resource Center before you leave.
- The nurses and doctors will teach you how to give well baby care, how to feed your child, and know the medicines that your baby is taking.
- You will learn the signs and symptoms to watch for at home. Many babies need to have home monitoring (see ‘What is Next’).