Complex Respiratory Program

The Complex Respiratory Program at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit is designed for children, from birth to age 21, with acute or chronic lung disease with varying oxygen or ventilatory needs. It is a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed to minimize symptoms and prevent complications related to the patient’s primary or secondary respiratory problems.

Degrees of Respiratory Support Appropriate for the Program:

Non Invasive Oxygenation Needs

Acute oxygen needs secondary to new diagnosis
Secretion management
Chronic oxygen need/weaning
CPAP/BiPAP

Tracheostomy Patients

Oxygenation management
Planned decannulation
Secretion management
Transition to home training

Tracheostomy, needing prolonged ventilatory support

Ventilation management
Transition to home training
Secretion management

The Process:

First, each child receives a comprehensive evaluation from the interdisciplinary clinical team at them Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit (see reverse).
An individualized care plan is then developed for each child.
During his or her stay, each child receives daily medical management by a pediatrician and therapies including: respiratory, physical, occupational, speech or recreational therapy.
Each child and their family will participate in weekly meetings with the care team to develop goals, assess progress and discuss the treatment plan.
Full discharge planning and family/patient education is provided to ensure that each child is safely transitioned to home with maximum functional capacity and independence.
Care Management will facilitate home needs to include: equipment, supplies and home care as needed.

Program Goals:

To optimize each patient’s respiratory function
To improve functional independence for mobility, self-care and communication
To provide patient and caregiver education and training on the use and care of respiratory equipment, including tracheostomy tubes, ventilators, nebulizer machines, CPAP masks
To educate the patient and caregiver regarding bronchial hygiene, breathing training/retraining and conditioning exercises and techniques
To reduce the burden of care and prevent caregiver burnout by obtaining appropriate equipment and connecting the family to community resources
To optimize the medical and pharmacological management for the patient

Our Interdisciplinary Team

Pediatrician: A board-certified pediatrician medically manages the treatment of each child and coordinates the work of other professionals on the therapy team.
Pediatric Physiatrist: A physician who is board certified in pediatrics and rehabilitation medicine coordinates the work of the therapy team.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Nurses: Expert nurses evaluate and monitor each child. They also develop care plans in collaboration with the team, and they oversee each child’s progress and education.
Respiratory Therapist (RT): An RT assesses and monitors the respiratory status and equipment needs of each patient. He or she also provides training and education to patients and their families regarding the use of respiratory equipment, and teach therapeutic exercises to improve respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function.
Physical Therapist (PT): PT works with each child to improve strength, range of motion, balance and mobility.
Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT provides sensory needs assessment and intervention and works with each child on activities of daily living.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): An SLP evaluates each child and recommends treatment plans to address issues with speaking, swallowing and other disorders.
Neuropsychologist: A neuropsychologist reviews the needs of the child and family and provides services. The neuropsychologist also recommends behavior management approaches for the treatment team.
Registered Dietician: A registered dietician evaluates the nutritional needs of patients and recommends personalized diets. The registered dietician also provides nutrition therapy and education for the patient and family.
Care Manager: Working directly with the child, family and care team, care managers complete assessments, coordinate ongoing care with the patient’s insurance company and assist with any necessary discharge plans.
Other Medical Specialists: Other medical specialists, including pulmonologists, ENTs and pediatric surgeons, provide consultation services to help make decisions regarding ventilatory support, airway evaluation and the decannulation process.

Appropriate diagnostic groups:

Chronic lung disease (CLD)/bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Severe persistent asthma
Neuromuscular disorders
Acquired and congenital anomalies of the large airways
Cancers affecting the respiratory system
Traumatic brain injuries requiring respiratory support
Spinal cord injuries requiring respiratory support
New tracheostomy patients

To learn more, please call 484-788-5492.