Hearts Aligned

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The pediatric cardiovascular nurses of Riley Hospital and the Riley Heart Center

As technology and clinical evidence has developed to support earlier interventions, post-operative care has emerged as a crucial factor in positive outcomes. Skilled and experienced pediatric nurses dramatically enhance the outcomes of patients who receive state-of-the-art cardiac treatment and surgery.

Fortunately, the nurses and nurse practitioners at Riley Hospital and inside the Riley Heart Center are, quite simply, without peer.

Specialized nurse practitioners

Leading the pediatric nursing care team is a group of full-time nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses specializing in congenital heart disease. These advanced practice nurses are involved at nearly every stage of patient care, including assessment and treatment.

All of Riley's cardiac nurses have hundreds of hours of training and experience in every aspect of pediatric cardiovascular care. They are senior-level clinicians delivering care throughout the hospital's pediatric cardiology areas - from the outpatient clinics to the catheterization lab to the operating room.

These nursing professionals are dedicated to advancing the practice of cardiovascular nursing by improving the care of patients. They are also advocates for families, responding to fear and pain with a compassion that defines the heart of Riley Hospital.

A team of allied professionals

The nurses of the Riley Heart Center join pediatric pharmacists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers and other pediatric specialists in delivering care that is tightly coordinated. Communication across team members is facilitated by the unit's very design and by technology created especially to keep team members in productive contact.

For families seeking spiritual guidance throughout their child's hospitalization, staff chaplains are available to assist in any way. The chaplains work closely with the medical staff to assure the well-being of the whole person, and the Riley chapel is open at all times to families for reflection, meditation and prayer.

nurses

[Keywords: heart, cardiovascular, cardiac, congenital heart disease, nurses, nurse, pharmacists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers, chaplain]

US News - America's Best Children's Hospitals 2008

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