Neonatal Transitional Program

Criteria for Admissions

• Respiratory insufficiency requiring pulmonary management
• Oral feeding difficulties requiring dysphagia therapy
• Rehabilitative intervention as a result of prematurity or prolonged hospitalization
• Parent training and discharge planning

Overview

The Neonatal Transitional Program at Weisman Children's Rehabilitation Hospital (WCRH) utilizes an innovative approach to helping infants and their families transition from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to home. In this program, parents of infants who were born prematurely or with medical complications are taught to care for the special needs of their newborn child. Under the supervision of compassionate and experienced nurses, parents learn to identify the unique needs specific to each infant. Physicians and parents have frequent opportunities to communicate about neonatal care, treatment options, and discharge plans. As they become more skilled in caring for their infant, parents are more comfortable and confident with the eventual transition from hospital to home.

Continuum of Care

Inpatient Program

• Co-management by our pediatrician and pulmonologist
• Developmental services that are coordinated by a child life specialist
• Customized therapy services tailored to address the infants individual speech development, dysphagia (feeding) therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy
• Family support and the coordination of community resources after discharge from WCRH
• Nurses and respiratory therapists with extensive experience in caring for medically fragile infants

Outpatient

• Comprehensive evaluation
• Therapeutic treatment for children with dysphagia (feeding) issues

Medical Day Care

• For children ages 0-6 who are medically fragile and who require skilled nursing care