Managing Medically Fragile Children with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Pediatric Home Care Nurses have the responsibility of providing the best care possible when working with medically fragile children who face multiple chronic conditions. 

How Do Multiple Chronic Conditions Impact Care?

Multiple chronic conditions can significantly impact care for medically fragile children, making healthcare more complex for patients, families, and nurses. Patients with multiple chronic conditions often need more specialized medical care, which can affect a child’s emotional, physical, and social development. Families can also feel more stress due to the financial strain from the additional care needed and the potential difficulties in managing the child’s care. Nurses might have to deal with an increased workload and more complex coordination of care when a child faces many illnesses. 

Provide Medical Management Strategies 

Develop a Personalized Care Plan

Care plans are extremely valuable for medically fragile children who face multiple chronic conditions, and at Thrive SPC our customized care plans are the foundation of everything we do. These provider and patient-centric roadmaps can help patients with multiple chronic conditions reduce their risk factors and help reach healthcare goals. 

All chronic management care plans should include a patient assessment, diagnosis, SMART goals for the patient, implementation of nursing interventions, and evaluation. Plans should be personalized, empowering patients and their families to make decisions that are best for them and will help them reach their goals. When the patient’s chronic conditions and personal preferences are made a priority, Pediatric Home Care Nurses can provide efficient and quality care. 

Prepare for Emergency Hospital Visits 

Children who have multiple chronic conditions can spend more time going to the doctor or hospital than those with one or no chronic conditions. Nurses should always be prepared for unplanned hospital visits with their medically fragile patients. A child might deal with sudden complications due to their conditions and need help from specialized care providers. To prep for medical emergencies, pediatric nurses should follow the following practices:

• Recognize the clear signs of an emergency 
• Have a first aid kit handy
• Effectively communicate with the medical team
• Prioritize patient safety 

Give Emotional Support

Like any patient, children with multiple chronic conditions can often feel overwhelmed and sad about their situation, and they need understanding and empathy. Pediatric Home Care Nurses can show their support by actively listening to their patient’s concerns and being a source of comfort.

Multiple chronic conditions can be difficult for patients, their families, and nurses to navigate. At Thrive SPC, we always put our patients first, finding the best nursing practices and strategies that will help all patients feel respected, heard, and cared for. Discover more about our nursing services by heading to https://www.thrivespc.com/services/nursing/.