The Ventilator Assisted Care Program (VACP) at Children’s Hospital is designed to meet the needs of children who require mechanical respiratory support at home. The VACP staff works with children and their families to access medical, social and educational services in their communities. The ultimate goal of the program is to help children gain greater independence.

The VACP serves children and young adults who live at home, qualify for Medicaid and require mechanical respiratory support for all or part of each day. Physicians, state and private agencies, healthcare professionals and families refer children to the VACP when a need for long-term, complex respiratory care is identified.

Three Phases of the VACP

Phase I – Provides family and caregiver training before the patient is discharged to ease the transition of returning home

Phase II – Develops a plan for care in the home and community

Phase III – Coordinates outpatient care to assist the family in maintaining the child at home

Provides ongoing support and identifies services to meet family needs

Offers training and consultation to healthcare personnel who provide routine care to the child

Provides 24-hour on-call service seven days a week

Care Continuity

Helps the family to obtain and coordinate healthcare services

Crisis Management

Responds promptly to assist families with multiple and immediate medical or social needs

Disability Adjustment

Provides information and support for families experiencing difficulty understanding and accepting the implications of chronic illness and disability relating to hospitalization, treatment and daily living

Educational Needs

Assists in accessing educational, vocational or early intervention services. Assists school systems in planning school health regimens and emergency plans. Offers orientation, training and technical assistance to faculty, staff and student body in preparation for educating students with complex health needs.

Family Identified Needs

Assists the family in identifying and meeting needs that occur before or after a client returns home

Health Management

Helps educate families on medical care and treatment response. Works with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure the best health for the patient.

Medical Service Coordination

Coordinates clinic and therapy appointments. Works with family and physicians to identify and schedule needed treatments and hospitalizations.

Parent to Parent Support

Helps parents meet other families in similar situations

Training

Teaches family and community care providers how to effectively care for individuals who are ventilator assisted

Referrals

Referrals to the Ventilator Assisted Care Program at Children’s Hospital may be made during any of the program’s three phases. The client does not need to be a patient of Children’s Hospital to be eligible for transition planning or outpatient case management. To refer a patient or obtain information, contact the Ventilator Assisted Care Program at (504) 896-9228.