It’s Not Too Early: Essential Information to Organize Now
July 29, 2024It’s Not Too Early: Essential Information to Organize Now
Preparing for your child’s transition from the hospital to home requires thorough planning and organization. To ensure a smooth transition and efficient coordination of care, use this checklist to gather and organize the necessary information while still in the hospital.
1. Contact Information
- Primary Care Doctor and Specialists: Gather names and phone numbers.
- Case Manager at Insurance Company: Obtain contact details.
2. Appointment Scheduling
- Follow-Up Appointments: Note the dates of all scheduled follow-ups.
3. Insurance Details
- Primary and Secondary Insurance Coverage: Collect information including:
- Policyholder Name
- Policy Number
- Group Number
4. Medical History
- Child’s Medical History: Document dates of onset for conditions/diseases and previous surgeries.
- Allergies: List any allergies to food, medication, tape, or latex.
5. Current Medications
- Medication List: Include details for each medication, such as:
- Name
- Concentration
- Dose
- Route
- Frequency
- Time
6. Home Environment Information
- Water Source: Check if your water source is fluoridated.
- Home Age and Safety: Note if your home was built before 1978, and whether you have lead pipes or old paint.
7. Utility Contacts
- Electric and Gas Companies: List names and contact numbers.
8. Family Schedule
- Family Availability: Provide information on when parents or siblings are at home.
- Child’s School: Include school attendance details.
- Weekend Nursing Coverage: Based on work schedules, determine if nursing coverage is needed over weekends.
9. School and Work Documentation
- School Letter: Obtain a letter from your child’s school to help coordinate care with your health insurance plan.
- Employer Letter: Secure a letter from your and/or your spouse’s employer to verify work schedules.
10. Medical Necessity
- Physician’s Letter: Get a letter from your child’s physician verifying the medical necessity of shift nursing care.
11. Immunization Records
- Child’s Immunization Records: Ensure you have an updated record.
12. Emergency Contacts
- Emergency Services: Include names and numbers of police, fire, and rescue departments.
- Emergency Contacts: List family, friends, and neighbors who can be contacted in an emergency.
- Preferred Hospital and Pharmacy: Document contact information.
- Equipment/DME Company: Note the company’s contact details.
Additional Tips
- Documentation Storage: Keep all documents organized in a secure, easily accessible place.
- Regular Updates: Update information as needed and notify relevant parties of any changes.
By organizing this information ahead of time, you’ll be well-prepared to manage your child’s care transition smoothly and efficiently. This preparation will help ensure that all aspects of care are addressed and coordinated effectively.