The Medically Fragile Child

Welcome to our website, after being a registered nurse and licensed for 25 years with the state of California with a Small Family Home license for medically fragile children. In my continuing work in this area, I saw a growing need for a Medically Fragile Training Manual for foster parents. This manual is directed to the basic level of care that is needed for the medically fragile child.  A few examples of what this manual contains are common medical diagnosis with signs and symptoms, paperwork required, medications, procedures explained, definitions and sample forms. The Medically Fragile Training Manual is available for purchase and soon will be available in an downloadable e-book format. I hope you find our site useful as well as informative towards your medically fragile child care needs.

Training for medical procedures, how to get it!

You are responsible for getting all the necessary medical training for the medically fragile child that you will be caring for. This training manual will provide the necessary information needed to care for many different medical situations that you may encounter, Medically Fragile Training Manual (see index.) There are also many more resources that are available to you such as the registered nurse (ie: public health nurse or the registered nurse covering your home), the bedside nurse that has been taking care of the child at the hospital, or the specially trained nurses on staff at the hospital. Some examples are the Ostomy nurse, TPN nurse, Wound care nurse or other specially trained nurses. You also have available the other licensed staff such as the respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist to name a few. It may be necessary to make appointments with the staff, this will ensure that you get all your questions answered and the care is explained thoroughly.
Before you take this medically fragile child home, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with ALL the care that this child may need. Don't be pressured into taking this child home until you are comfortable, remember you will be the one at home responsible for the care. Ask any question about the care involved, no matter how silly it may seem to you. Remember, it is okay to speak up! And if you feel you are not getting the information you need, ask to speak with a supervisor. The nurse case manager is responsible for ordering medical supplies for the baby prior to discharge.  Usually they will have a relationship with a vendor and all the equipment will be delivered and explained to you before you take the baby home.  Information on how to order, how often and contact personal will all be explained.  Again, if it is not clear or you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask.