Respiratory therapists serve as consultants to nurses, physicians, and other members of the health care team. Our staff...
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is relatively rare, occurring in only two children per one million. Despite its low occurrence, Blythedale treated 30 children with pulmonary hypertension last year.
Why Blythedale…
Blythedale is skilled in treatment protocols that include oral medications to prevent narrowing blood vessels (e.g. Bosentan) or those that widen pulmonary blood vessels (e.g. Sildenafil), inhaled medications to relieve shortness of breath (e.g. Iloprost), and intravenous or subcutaneous treatments that help ease symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (e.g Remodulin).
- Inpatient
- Long Term Care
- Day Hospital
Blythedale’s expertise in caring for the most medically fragile of children is evident in our Pulmonary Hypertension rehabilitation program. Children come to Blythedale directly from the Intensive Care Unit while receiving intravenous, inhaled, subcutaneous or oral medications for pulmonary hypertension. Our pharmacy, staffed by board certified pediatric clinical pharmacists, compounds therapeutic agents and prepares IV infusions on site. By investing in the most modern respiratory support technology, including critical care ventilators, portable ventilators, BiPAP, CPAP, bubble CPAP and high flow nasal cannula, we can transition infants and children quickly from the Intensive Care Unit to Blythedale.
Attending pediatricians are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as a commitment to a high quality and safe environment for medically fragile children. Our multi-disciplinary team of pediatricians, intensive care physicians, pediatric pulmonologists and pediatric respiratory therapists work closely with nurses, and physical, occupational and speech therapists to monitor cardiac and respiratory status while helping each child reach his or her full potential. Children and families maintain their relationship with the child’s referring medical team. We have regular communication with the Pulmonary Hypertension teams from our referring institutions and arrange follow-up visits for evaluations such as echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations, as needed.
Parents are involved in the care of the child and learn proper use of equipment, how to safely give pulmonary hypertension treatments and manage respiratory support devices from the start of admission. Caregiver training is one of the hallmarks of the Blythedale experience and critical to prepare families to bring a child with pulmonary hypertension home.
Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
Blythedale is the only post-acute children's specialty hospital in New York State with a specialized program for babies with pulmonary hypertension.
Going Home
Bringing your child home is no small feat when they're medically fragile. No family ever thinks they will be in the position of caring for a child with complex medical needs, but Blythedale’s innovative Parent and Family Education Program divides what initially seems like an overwhelming learning...
Pulmonary Hypertension Team
Our multi-disciplinary team of pediatricians, intensive care physicians, pediatric pulmonologists and pediatric respiratory therapists work closely with nurses, and physical, occupational and speech therapists to monitor cardiac and respiratory status while helping each child reach their full potential.
Assistant Director of Respiratory Therapy Clinical and Community Education
With Feeding Tube and Innovative Parent Education Program, AJ Thrives
Eight-month-old AJ was born with both Down syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects. Shortly after his birth, AJ required major surgery to improve blood flow to his heart. His complex condition necessitated both a tracheostomy (a surgically...
