Many people at your child’s hospital help to care for your son/daughter before, during, and after surgery. Here are a few of the team members you may meet:
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Heads the team that will perform your child’s heart surgery and also is your child’s attending doctor during the hospital stay.
Cardiologist
Your child’s heart doctor or one of his/her partners will visit while your child is in the hospital. The cardiologist will continue to see your child, as needed, after the hospital stay.
Intensivist
This doctor is trained in the care of very sick children and will assist your surgeon in planning the care in the ICU after surgery.
Hospitalist
A pediatrician who manages the care of children who are in the hospital.
Fellow
A fully trained physician in heart surgery who is taking additional time to gain experience with pediatric heart surgery.
Anesthesiologist
This doctor is responsible for administering and monitoring anesthesia (medicine that will temporarily make your child unconscious) during surgery. The anesthesiologist will check your child’s medical history, including any possible drug allergies, while visiting with you and your child prior to surgery.
Care Manager or Care Coordinator
A nurse who follows your child’s case in the hospital. This person is informed about every part of your child’s care. He/she will help prepare you and your child for discharge and arrange any care for your child at home after the surgery.
Nurse Practitioners
Specially trained nurses who will assist with your child’s care in both the ICU and post-surgery areas.
Nurse Coordinators
The person who will schedule your initial appointment with the surgeon.
Surgery Scheduler
The person who will set a date for the surgery. He/she also will get authorization for the operation from your insurance company. You will talk to the surgery scheduler several times before the surgery.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with any member of your child’s Heart Surgery Care Team.
Reviewed by Lauren G. Kane, MD
June 2018
