New Leadership and Expanded Pediatric Specialty Services continued
FAMILY-CENTERED CARE APPROACH IS VITAL
The hospitalization of a child can sometimes be as traumatic for family members as it is for the patient . The Children ’ s Hospital Scott & White has an array of programs to help each family member cope during difficult times , including spiritual guidance and social work support .
“ It ’ s really our way of ensuring that not only are each child ’ s medical needs being met , but their — and their family ’ s — emotional , developmental , and psychological needs are being
Christy , Kaitlyn , Taylor , and
Scott Cosper . addressed as well ,” says John Boyd III , MD , CEO and chief medical officer , Children ’ s Hospital Scott & White .
For Christy and Scott Cosper of Killeen , that family-centered care has played an important part in the treatment of their daughter , Kaitlyn . She was diagnosed at Scott & White with a rare endocrine disorder that prevents the development of several hormones by the pituitary gland , including the one responsible for creating sufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar . Just days after her birth , Kaitlyn had to be admitted to Scott & White ’ s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU ) so that doctors could stabilize her rapidly deteriorating condition . The infant even stopped breathing at one point . Incredibly , Kaitlyn briefly spent time in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ( PICU ) as well .
“ Throughout our stay , the NICU and PICU staff went to great lengths to explain and make sure we understood what was happening to Kaitlyn ,” says Mrs . Cosper . “ We never felt alone , and knew they not only cared about Kaitlyn , but about us as well , constantly reminding Scott and me that we needed to rest and take care of ourselves so that we could be there for Kaitlyn .” The Cospers had a wonderful support system because family was nearby — Kaitlyn ’ s grandparents were able to relieve her parents at the hospital so they could tend to big sister Taylor , age 2 at the time .
“ But even when we weren ’ t with Kaitlyn , we knew she was in the best hands possible ,” says Mr . Cosper . “ When you walked into that NICU and PICU , you felt like you were in the presence of God . All the staff were so incredibly committed to the well-being of the children in their charge .”
“ Going through this experience has made us cherish our girls even more ,” Mrs . Cosper says . “ We are grateful not only for the care Kaitlyn received , but for the friendships we created with many of the staff . They will be lifelong members of our family .”
As a member of the Children ’ s Oncology Group , an international clinical trial cooperative supported by the National Cancer Institute , the Children ’ s Hospital can offer patients the opportunity to participate in the latest Phase III clinical trials for cancer medicine . Participation in Phase III trials is considered the standard of care for pediatric cancer treatment , Dr . Kane says . “ Our patients at the Children ’ s Hospital Scott & White receive the most advanced treatment available to any child in the United States ,” he says . “ What makes us different is our ability , and our mission of providing this very highly sophisticated treatment while also optimizing comfort and quality of life . Our aim is to give patients and family a life that is as normal as possible .”
A strong focus on patient and family comfort includes emotional , social , and spiritual support . As part of this effort , Dr . Kane emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to palliative care , which he stresses no longer means end-of-life care . “ Palliative care is defined as the art and science of patient and family-centered care , aimed at alleviating suffering , promoting healing , and improving quality of life ,” he says .
His words underscore the Children ’ s Hospital ’ s commitment to meeting each child ’ s needs , and those of the child ’ s parents and siblings as well . “ We recognize that when a child is sick , it affects the whole family . We want to give patients and families the best possible experience with our healthcare system , one that cannot be duplicated elsewhere ,” Dr . Kane says . “ That ’ s our goal , and it is what we are working to achieve every day .” ■
18 THE CATALYST Fall 11 | sw . org