Discharge Toolkit for PICU Families
You may feel overwhelmed with information when your child is discharged from the PICU.
The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital offers tools to help you organize the information you need for your child's post-PICU care.
Your child may be on a number of medications after leaving the PICU. Start a log to keep track of what your child is currently taking. In your log, write down details such as why your child is on the medication, how long they have to take it, and when and how they should take it.
Keep track of follow-up visits for your child, such as appointments with the pediatrician, physical therapist or other doctors.
When you go to your follow-up appointments, be sure to bring:
- Discharge papers (the papers you received when you checked your child out of the hospital), because this information may also help your doctors understand what happened during your child's care in the hospital
- A list of your child's current medications, including names and doses
- A list of your child's current health care providers and why he or she sees each one
- A list of your child's symptoms, or any new problems (such as trouble with coordination, movement, strength, trouble concentrating, feeling sad, not sleeping, etc.)
Keep important contact information you might need, such as the number for your child's doctor and your local pharmacy, all in one place.
Take notes throughout your child's PICU stay. These notes might include things you want to remember, important test results or questions you have for your child's care team.