Hospital's New Pediatric Unit Provides Family Environment and Long-Term Care to Youth with Special Needs
WASHINGTON, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The HSC Pediatric Center marks its 125th anniversary with the launch of Home at HSC, an inpatient care unit that welcomes families and simulates a home environment for long-term patients age 6 months to 21 years who require acute, long-term support that is difficult to provide in a home, group home or typical long-term care facility.
Where before families in the District of Columbia had no choice but to send children with severe medical, physical and mental challenges to facilities in surrounding states, they now have the opportunity to keep such patients close to home where they can receive the parental nurturing they so desperately need.
Several children were receiving residential acute care in Pennsylvania, Maryland or Virginia. Now they are back home in Washington, resuming their lives and schooling and enjoying close proximity to family. More were slated for interstate move. Instead, they too are now resident at Home at HSC, a 16-bed facility.
"We're excited to provide top notch care to these children, keep them close to their families and help them to develop as normally as possible given the severe challenges they face," said Chief Medical Officer Karen Smith, MD. "Acute, long-term care has been HSC's specialty from its inception."
Home at HSC has the equipment and medical staff onsite to ensure that each child receives round-the-clock monitoring and the finest in medical care. Families are encouraged to visit Home at HSC and can spend the night. Parents also meet in support groups and attend special events. Patients are surrounded by many of their favorite things and have semi-private rooms decorated much like their bedrooms at home. Those who are well enough receive age-appropriate educati
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