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Getting Better: The General Care Unit

When your child is ready, he will be transferred to a general pediatric unit. Usually, all tubes and lines will be removed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit except for one IV.

By this time, your child will be eating, drinking and getting out of bed. We will encourage him to engage in activities, like games, painting or coloring, either in his room or the playroom.

Your child does not need intense monitoring at this time, and you will notice a change in the amount of nursing and medical care. One parent now may spend the night in the room with your child.

The cardiac surgeons and cardiologists will continue to assess your child daily. Your child will need daily blood-drawings to monitor drug levels, white blood cell counts and kidney and liver function. Chest X-rays are taken when needed. Several days after your child’s transfer to the general care floor, an ECG and echocardiogram will be performed to assess the new heart function.

Approximately 10 to 14 days after surgery, we will perform the first heart biopsy. Usually, we receive the biopsy results that evening or early the next morning and we will inform you as soon as possible. Depending upon the biopsy results, we will begin plans either to discharge your child or treat for rejection episode.

For Your Child

As your child starts to feel better, he may want to resume more normal activities. Help him play with toys or games. The Child Life staff will assist you. This will enable you and your child to focus on health and feeling normal.

It’s important for you to take care of yourself. Parents need breaks. Ask a relative or friend to stay with your child so you can eat, relax or spend time with your other children. Always let your child know when you will take a break and when you will return. Also, be sure he understands that: