When Leacoln Bale got a thumbs-up on her 20-week prenatal scan, she and her husband, Jeremy, felt relief. The scans looked great, and they were thrilled about having another healthy baby girl. Like her two older sisters — Ellie, 6, and 3-year-old Nora — Ava was born at home with assistance from a midwife. But…
Norton Children’s Hospital has been verified as a Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program. The verification means Norton Children’s Hospital meets standards that ensure that children facing surgery receive care under a pediatric multidisciplinary program with quality improvement and safety processes, data collection and…
As many as 40% of childhood surgeries are performed in adult hospitals by surgeons who haven’t trained in the intricacies of caring for growing bodies, according to a 2013 study. The study published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, concluded common procedures such as appendectomy were just as likely to…
There are a lot of different roles that make up a child’s care team when he or she is in a children’s hospital. A child can see nurses, nurse practitioners and any number of physician specialists. You may know what a cardiologist, surgeon or orthopedic surgeon does — but do you know what a pediatric…
Diaphragmatic hernia is a hole in the diaphragm caused by a birth defect. The diaphragm is the large muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. In a diaphragmatic hernia, organs such as intestines, spleen, stomach and liver move through the hole in the diaphragm into a baby’s chest. A hernia is a condition in…
Another phase of Norton Children’s Hospital’s expansion is nearly complete. Patients and staff cut the ribbon to open part of the hospital’s newest medical/surgical unit. The space on the sixth floor features 12 private rooms along with a teen entertainment room, toddler play room and nourishment spaces for families. The rest of the unit, which…
The idea of surgery can be frightening and overwhelming for any child. As a parent, you’re probably worried too. Fortunately, a little preparation can help reduce everyone’s fears and improve the experience. “Having a plan and knowledge of the situation can help kids and parents feel less anxious about anesthesia and surgery, and get through…
Choosing where to have your child’s surgery can be a daunting task. What kind of care is going to make your child and family feel safest, physically and emotionally? Technology advancements have made it possible for some procedures to be done at outpatient surgery centers. Costs can be lower at these types of locations. However,…