Non-Profit and Governmental Kidney Resources

The Role Played by Each Member of the Hospital Healthcare Team

During your or your child's hospital stay, you may see many health care professionals. These include physicians, nurses, technologists, physician extenders, students, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, patient discharge planners, and social workers. If the patient is a child speak in an age appropriate manner and explain who each team member is and what their role is in helping them to get better.

Physicians

Several doctors may be involved in directing your or your child's care. The physician who is chiefly responsible for the care received during the hospital stay is known as the "attending physician." This senior physician works with other physicians as needed to make sure your child gets the appropriate treatments and therapies. He or she will also keep your primary care physician or referring physician informed about hospital treatments, follow-up care, and other information that will be needed after you or your child returns home.

Residents

Residents are physicians who have completed medical school and are training in a specialty, such as pediatrics or surgery. Interns are residents in their first year of training. Because some hospitals are teaching facilities, resident physicians play a valuable role in providing care to you or your child under the guidance of a senior physician.

Nurses

The professional nursing staff provides constant, personalized care and support to pediatric patients and their families. The registered nurse coordinating the care will keep you informed of progress and be available to answer questions about treatments or hospital services.

Therapists

Therapists specially trained in physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and speech therapy may become part of the care plan. Your nurse or physician will explain their role in you or your child's care.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work closely with the medical team to ensure the effectiveness of all drug therapies.

Health Unit Coordinators/Unit Clerks

The Health Unit Coordinator/Clerk stationed in each patient unit schedules many of the special tests, orders supplies, and answers the unit telephone. The HUC can help you contact your physician or nurse and can direct you to other individuals or departments for answers to any questions you may have.


Case Managers

The Case Manager works closely with the physicians and health care team to coordinate the care throughout their hospitalization and to make sure you have the resources you need once you leaves the hospital.

Child Life Specialists

Many large teaching hospitals have Trained Child Life Specialists who provide psychosocial and emotional support for pediatric patients and their families. This support is designed to foster a positive health care experiences. Knowing what to expect can help children cope more effectively with their hospitalization and treatments. Child Life Specialists also provide age appropriate information to children about surgical, diagnostic, and medical procedures and help children and families cope with the child's illness.

Patient Representatives or Patient Advocate

Patient Representative/Advocate serves as a link between you and you or your child's health care team. They can inform you about patient rights and responsibilities, hospital procedures, policies, resources, and services. The patient representative can assist you with resolving questions or concerns you may have about the care you or your child is receiving. The patient representative also can assist patients 18 years of age and older in executing advance directives if desired


Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers are available to help your family manage the stresses that may be associated with illness in the family. They are also available to help make arrangements for your post-hospital care, including home health care or out of home placements. Clinical social workers can provide the following services:

Assessment of you and your family's situation, current needs and crisis intervention, individual, family or group counseling, planning for your post-hospital needs, information about and referral to available community resources and/or financial assistance.

Knowing who the members of the healthcare team are can help you and your child cope with the day to day stressors of any hospitalization. To make the hospital experience easier:

1)Ask each persons name and ask for a card if available.
2) Keep a pad of paper handy and write down phone numbers in case you need to clarify any information you may not have understood.
3)Try and find out what is scheduled for each day - tests, procedures, etc.
4)Ask what medications your child is on and what possible side effects can be expected.

Summer Camp for Pediatric Kidney Patients
American Kidney Fund's Pediatric Camp