Pediatric Spine Nurse Navigator Team at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

Our pediatric spine nurse navigator team offers patients and their families personalized care and attention throughout the complexities of scoliosis treatment.

Research shows that having a spine nurse navigator helps improve access to care and patient outcomes, reducing the time spent in the hospital so patients can go home sooner. At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, our pediatric spine nurse navigator team offers spine patients and their families specialized support and guidance by providing comprehensive education, emotional support and care coordination.

From diagnosis to recovery and beyond, we are here to support you every step of the way.

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Assisting patients through their scoliosis journey

Patient education

At Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, education is paramount. From pre-op consultations to post-operative care at home, families receive comprehensive education on what to expect, including:

• Pre-op procedures and expectations: Before your child’s surgery, you will be assigned a spine nurse navigator to explain each stage of the hospital experience. From discussions about pre-op preparations to a review of which surgical procedures your child will undergo, our goal is to alleviate uncertainties and help you feel fully informed and prepared.
• Hospitalization phases and unit tours: Once your child is admitted to the hospital, the pediatric spine nurse navigator will guide you through each phase of the hospitalization, providing tours of the unit, introducing you to the care team and familiarizing you with the environment.
• Operating room protocols and preparations: Entering the operating room can be intimidating, especially for children. Your spine nurse navigator will walk you through the protocols and preparations, providing detailed explanations of what to expect before, during and after surgery. They’ll explain the use of anesthesia, monitoring equipment and post-operative care procedures. This helps ease anxiety and promotes a sense of confidence and readiness.
• Daily routines during hospital stay: During your child’s hospital stay, the spine nurse navigator will help you understand the daily routines and expectations. From medication schedules to therapy sessions, you’ll learn what your child’s day will likely entail. Equipping you with this knowledge helps your child feel more comfortable and prepared for the hospital experience.
• Medication management and safety: Our spine nurse navigator team prioritizes medication management and safety, recognizing the importance of understanding and adhering to prescribed medications for your child’s recovery. We provide education on all medications, including opioids, so both parents and children understand their purpose, dosage and potential side effects. By emphasizing safe medication practices, such as adhering to schedules, proper storage and disposal procedures, our team helps our families manage medications effectively and minimize potential risks. Additionally, our team offers guidance on any concerns or questions you may have related to medication use, providing a safe and supportive environment for your child’s recovery from scoliosis surgery.
• Home recovery expectations and guidelines: As your child prepares to return home after scoliosis surgery, your spine nurse navigator will explain home recovery expectations and guidelines, to support your child’s recovery at home, from post-operative care instructions to pain management tips.

Emotional Support

Our spine nurse navigator team recognizes the importance of emotional support for both children and their families throughout the scoliosis journey. We collaborate closely with our Child Life specialists, who utilize play therapy, education and coping strategies to help children navigate the emotional challenges associated with scoliosis surgery and hospitalization. By working together, our teams strives to make children feel supported, empowered and prepared to cope with the stress and uncertainty of their medical journey.

Care Coordination

Our pediatric spine nurse navigator team plays a pivotal role in facilitating communication between patients and surgical teams and guiding patients through their care journey. The spine nurse navigator acts as the primary contact for patients and their families, facilitating seamless transitions between appointments, clinics and specialists. Whether arranging pre-op evaluations, coordinating multidisciplinary consultations or collaborating with nursing teams, our team optimizes the care journeyfor families.

Post-Operative Guidance

Recovery does not end when the surgery is over. Our pediatric spine nurse navigator team extends support to families as they transition home. From post-discharge check-ins to offering helpful resources and guidance for post-operative care, our team provides continuous support for patients and families.

• Follow-up visits and care plans: After your child’s scoliosis surgery, your spine nurse navigator remains by your side throughout the follow-up care process. We arrange and coordinate all necessary follow-up appointments with your child’s care team, explaining each visit’s purpose and your child’s ongoing care plan. Whether it involves meetings with the orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist or other specialists, your pediatric spine nurse navigator is here to guide you through the subsequent steps of your child’s journey towards both healing and rehabilitation.