The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) took on a transformation of sorts last week, when a Philadelphia-based radio station set up a live studio broadcast in the middle of the bright, cheerful, atrium lobby. It was all part of the “98.1 WOGL Loves Our Kids Radiothon”, an annual event that has raised over $7 million for CHOP since its inception 17 years ago.
BAYADA Pediatrics, a specialty of BAYADA Home Health Care and a long-standing partner with CHOP, was proud to help make the Radiothon a success by serving as a major sponsor for three years running. In addition to their financial support, BAYADA staff volunteered to answer phones during the event.
“Children’s Hospital is a place where miracles happen. It’s where kids with a catastrophic illness or injury receive life-changing care,” said BAYADA Pediatrics Transitional Program Director Mary Ellen Garofalo. “But because many of these kids have very complex medical needs, they can’t be discharged unless they have nursing care set up at home. That’s where BAYADA comes in. We make sure that each patient has specially trained nurses who can continue the child’s care in their own home, where their parents want them to be. It’s really a win-win partnership, and that’s why we are so thrilled to be a part of the Radiothon.”
BAYADA Registered Nurse Clinical Manager Crystal Lee is on the front lines when it comes to nursing care at home for the youngest of patients. She supervises all aspects of each child’s care, and it is a job she truly loves. “Since the beginning of the 90s, BAYADA has been working in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to provide home health care for medically fragile children,” said Lee during a live radio interview with WOGL radio personality Harvey Holiday. “CHOP is a wonderful place, and it’s an honor for BAYADA to continue the journey of healing for the children, and support their parents who must face such a difficult situation.”
Indeed, leaving the safety of the hospital environment and bringing their child home can be a challenging prospect for some parents. Before a patient is discharged, BAYADA Transitional Care Managers Susan Ecker-Sterner, RN, and Mary Simrell, RN, help parents prepare for what to expect when their child has nursing care at home.
“I meet with parents to explain the home health care process, collaborate with local BAYADA offices on scheduling the child’s home care nursing shifts, and work with the medical equipment companies to ensure the home is equipped with the technology needed for the child’s care,” explained Ecker-Sterner.
Education also plays a role in helping parents prepare for their child’s discharge. “They desperately want their child to be home, but it is overwhelming for them,” said Simrell. “I collaborate with the nurses at CHOP to help parents understand their child’s condition and care needs so that they feel more confident and better prepared for discharge.”
BAYADA provides nursing at home and schoolfor children from birth to adolescence with complex medical needs. Most commercial insurance plans, as well as Medicaid are accepted.
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