Coordinating a Multidisciplinary Discharge for the Technology-Dependent Child Based on Parental Needs

Primary nurses, case managers, and clinical nurse specialists in pediatric settings are continually providing care for chronically ill children. With our advancing medical knowledge and technology, the concept of chronically ill children has taken on an added dimension: technology-assisted living. Technology-dependent children pose the greatest challenge for discharge into the home environment. This article identifies the chronically ill technology-dependent child and family and their needs in order to develop a chronologic plan for a successful multidisciplinary discharge.