Bringing a child home from the hospital is scary enough already, so that child being medically fragile can make it even more daunting. You may feel overwhelmed, confused and anxious about this transition, but we’re here to answer some of your questions and give you some peace. Below are our top tips for bringing your medically complex child home for the first time. 

Have Medical Supplies Within Reach 

There are ways to make sure all necessary medical supplies are within reach in your child’s room without making it look like a hospital. Store supplies in fun bins that match the bedroom décor or dedicate a closet to supplies. Just be sure that everything you need is easy to access at any time. 

Stay Organized 

Not only is it important to keep all the medical supplies organized, but you should also have an easily accessible binder with any information you may need. This can be done electronically if you prefer. This binder could include information like important results, medication lists, hospital discharge summaries, advice or instruction from your doctor and more. 

Consider Rearranging Your Furniture 

You may have to rethink how the child’s room is set up now that you have medical equipment or potentially hospital staff members coming to help. If you have a night nurse, for example, you’ll want to make sure the space is away from other family members to ensure that you and your family get a good night of sleep with minimal distractions.  

Communicate with Caregivers 

If you have nurses or other medical staff members coming over to your home, communicate with them regularly. You are ultimately in charge of your home and the trained caregivers want to make sure you and your family are as comfortable as possible. Leave a list of things caregivers should know, such as where the supplies are located, where they should park their vehicle, what restroom they should use, etc. 

Keep a Running List of Questions 

More questions will arise over time and they can be easy to forget about, especially when you’re busy with a medically complex child. Keep a running list of any questions that come to your mind, so you know what to ask next time you visit or speak to your doctor.  

Never Hesitate to Reach Out 

You may or may not need a nurse depending on your child’s individual needs. If you don’t have assistance from a medical professional, it may be scary trying to figure health-related things out on your own. Always feel free to reach out to your doctor or Life Tech if you have questions or concerns and we will be happy to help. 

While this experience is bound to be stressful and overwhelming at times, there are always people to talk to if you need help. Make sure you share this blog with any families who may benefit from the read and feel free to visit our website for more information.