Taking a child home from the hospital is both exciting and intimidating, especially when the child needs further in-home care. The decision to employ an in-home pediatric agency, such as the Vancouver Home Healthcare Agency, is a good decision, but what does the nurse actually do? The nurse covers a number of different needs for the family, from medical assistance to recognizing when further assistance is necessary.

Home healthcare nurses come into the home and help families assess the health of the child. Nurses will help give medicine, help families use any equipment necessary, and take vital signs. Nurses will also help assess situations and suggest further care, such as therapists, if it is deemed necessary.

A pediatric in home nurse will also communicate consistently with a pediatrician. This is an essential part of the process, because only the pediatrician can approve changes in care. Additionally, if a therapist is necessary, a pediatrician may need to approve or recommend someone. Some insurances will only pay for care recommended by a primary pediatrician, so the nurse’s job in the home reaches well beyond just giving medications.

It’s a good idea to keep communication open with the nurse. Take notes regarding the child’s condition while the nurse is absent; this will help with questions or concerns when the nurse arrives. Nurses typically work with families for scheduling, so the nurse will arrive at a predetermined time. Most agencies have access to a 24 hour line to keep communication open and to help field questions; however, the nurse can field most family concerns.

When the nurse enters the home, he or she will talk to the family, asking about the child’s behavior and well-being before getting started. The nurse will then take vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure for older children, respiration, and temperature. The nurse will check on any equipment necessary for the child, and will administer medications. He or she will take notes to send to the pediatrician. There will be time for questions and communication, and if the nurse feels anything must be changed, he or she will communicate this with the family. The method of change will also be communicated; for example, if extra therapy is necessary, the nurse will tell the family how therapy will be obtained, and when.

Nurses don’t show up unannounced. There will always be an appointment and, in the case of a cancellation, the family will be made aware. Agencies such as the Vancouver Home Healthcare Agency ensure this security.
At Vancouver Home Health Caring Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

• Core Principles
• Pediatric Care
• Planning for home care
• questions to ask
• what does pediatric nurse
• What to expect