Children Need Health Care Designed for their Unique Needs

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This is weekly dose of Wellness brought to you by MemorialCare health system. Here's Deborah Howell.

Deborah Howell

Welcome to the show, I'm Deborah Howell and today we'll find out why children need health care designed especially for their unique needs. Our guest is Doctor Susan Herman, chief nursing officer for MemorialCare Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Long Beach. Welcome Doctor Herman.

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Thank you.

Deborah Howell

So great that you could take time to be with us today. So how do children's hospitals differ from community hospitals that treat patients of all ages?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Great question. Children hospitals focus on the unique needs of children, whether it be a congenital condition, something they're born with or something they develop over time. Our physicians licensed professional staff such as our nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, psychologists, all have special training to care for infants, children, and young adults. Also, as part of our staff are child-life specialists, and they are trained to assist children through treatments and diagnostic tests focusing on their psychosocial needs and support them through their hospitalization or clinic experience. We specialize in treating children with specific therapies, protocols, medications, equipment and supplies.

Deborah Howell

And why is it important for a child to see a pediatric specialist for an illness or injury or even go to an emergency department with pediatric specialists?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

That's because children have different diseases and manifest illnesses differently than adults and are recognized and treated by individuals that are specially trained for such conditions. These trained individuals can deliver appropriate care for that medical condition as well as meeting their emotional and social needs, such as fear and anxiety. That's where our child life specialists come into play. Hospitals, clinics, and especially emergency rooms are extremely scary for most people, especially for children, having pediatric specialists operating within an environment designed for children, helped mitigate the trauma of coming to the emergency.

Deborah Howell

Now, what are some of the supportive care services that only a Children's Hospital offers?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

As I previously mentioned, children hospitals have child-life specialists and they provide an enormous support to our patients. Additionally, there may be art therapists, music therapists, schoolteachers, cuddlers in our neonatal intensive care unit hospital, grandparents, pediatric pharmacists, pediatric clinical nutritionist, pediatric social workers, and pediatric therapists. Many professional specialists that are specifically trained in dealing with this patient population. Also, children hospitals often have therapy or facility dogs that assist with treatment protocols and therapies for children.

Deborah Howell

I had a friend who was a cuddler and she said it was one of the most rewarding things she'd ever done

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Yes, we hope to get them back soon. Unfortunately, we can't use them during our pandemic time, but they add tremendous value to our NEO needs.

Deborah Howell

Crossing fingers that's very, very soon that they're back. What are some of the unique ways that Miller children and women help children cope with their illness or hospitalization?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

There are several unique ways. First and foremost, we use special colors and designs within our environment and our rooms are children friendly and as well as our diagnostics. For example, our pediatric MRI machine is built like a sandcastle. Our playroom has a part of the fire truck and we have children lounges and separate lounges for adolescents and young adults with age appropriate toys, computers, art supplies, books and electronic games. Also, our child life specialists often do play therapy with the child to simulate what it's going to be like when they have a treatment or diagnostic. Additionally, we have what we call family resource centers where peers and professionals provide educational material and resource needed to parents and caregivers so that they better understand their child condition.

Deborah Howell

I'm so glad you brought up the family because I wondered what role does the family play in the care of a child at Miller children and women's?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Families and caregivers play a significant role in the care of our children. We practice a model of family centered care where families are integral in everything we do for our patients. They're involved in our treatments, education, and planning care while they're in the hospital and upon discharge. We include them in our bedside rounds, and our bedside shift reports from nurse to nurse. We also have a robust Family Advisory Council that are engaged with our communications policy and program developments and they are critical to our success in our patient and family experience. We rely on them their point of view and their perspectives.

Deborah Howell

I'm so glad to hear that. How do newer children and women services expand beyond the walls of the hospital?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Well, our services are expanded into the entire LA County as well as Orange County, and we have specialty clinics in Torrance and Fountain Valley. We strive to treat our patients closest to their home when possible, because we know for many families that come from a far distance, transportation may be challenging. Our physicians have offices throughout the region, and when they're more complex and need specialized care, that's when they need to come to the hospital. We also have outreach programs in the community, preventative care and a child injury program. Lastly, we collaborate and conduct research with local, regional and national partners.

Deborah Howell

Doctor Herman, what makes Miller children and women hospital unique from other children hospitals in the region?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

We are unique in several ways. First, we treat children and women all in one hospital. We have an included obstetrical and neonatal services with high risk maternal fetal care and in neonatal intensive care, including the small baby unit, our neonatal intensive care is one of the largest in the state of California. We are also unique, and that were Co-located with an affiliated adult hospital all on one campus. Lastly, on our campus, we are near completion of an 80,000 square foot outpatient specialty building for our pediatric patient. It will bring together 90 physicians and over 36 specialties all in one building. We call it a one stop shop for our patients and families because we will also have diagnostics, pharmacy and laboratory services all in one location.

Deborah Howell

That sounds incredible. Congratulations on that and good luck with finishing that center now. What are some of the benefits of mom and baby staying together at one hospital should an emergent need arise?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Well, we are designated Baby Friendly Hospital committed to optimizing parent bonding mothers and care partners are very involved and caring for their baby while in the hospital. Should an emergent need arise for the mother, we can move them to the adult side of the hospital to be at the appropriate level of care, such as the intensive care unit, if they need that. We do our very best to ensure bonding and top contact continues as much as possible, if the mother is capable of doing so. Also, in our emergency department, although licensed as part of the adult hospital, we are able to quickly send an obstetrician when required and should a significant health issue arise for the baby during or after birth. As I mentioned, we have a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit.

Deborah Howell

Sounds like you got all the bases covered. How can people learn more about Miller children and women?

Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Well, thank you. For asking, parents can certainly learn more by visiting Millerchildren.org, and you can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Deborah Howell

Perfect well thank you so much Doctor Herman for your time and your expertise today. We really enjoyed having you on the show.

Dr. Susan Herman

It was a great pleasure. Thank you for having me and have a wonderful day.

Deborah Howell

You too, it's our pleasure. Now for more info or to listen to a podcast of this show, please visit MemorialCare.org/podcasts. That's MemorialCare.org/podcasts, that's all for this time. I'm Deborah Howell have yourself a terrific day.