November is Prematurity Awareness Month
According to the March of Dimes website, “543,000 babies are born premature each year,” and parents across the country are fighting to save their children’s lives. Babies born too early and too small struggle to stay alive.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and because we at Primary Pediatric Management, Inc. work so closely and directly with families who are working through these challenges, we wanted to share some of the facts with you.
- One out of every eight babies is born prematurely in the United States.
- Read the 9 questions every women should ask her doctor before she becomes pregnant.
- Preterm labor occurs when a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks. Share this list of signs and symptoms of preterm labor with any women you know who are having a baby.
- For families who do have a baby in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), the following quick reference guide for parents of a premature baby can help with the terminology.
- Caring for a preemie at home can be daunting for many parents. This page helps parents address some of the most common challenges when caring for a preemie.
Help spread the word about Prematurity Awareness Month to friends and family members. Let’s work to reduce the rates of premature births in the United States.
You can also find out more about how Case Managers Help with Preemies or call Primary Pediatric Management, Inc. at 314.963.1307 or toll free at 877.734.PEDS (7337) for more information and a free 15-minute consultation with our case management specialists.
Premature Baby? How Case Managers help parents with preemies
Imagine trying to think of anything beyond the present moment if you have a premature baby lying in an incubator attached to tubes and monitors fighting for his or her life. Fortunately, with a case manager by your side, your load should be a little easier to bear; and taking care of your preemie once you are home will seem less daunting.
During the hospital stay
Ideally, a case manager is assigned very shortly after the birth of a premature baby. Because most preemies will be in the hospital for an extended amount of time, a case manager will visit with the parents on a weekly basis to see how they are coping. The case manager will also be in close contact with the hospital for clinical updates on how the baby is doing, any complications, what’s being done about any unexpected problems, and how close they are getting to discharging the infant. A case manager can also interact with families to help them understand what they can normally expect when their baby is in the hospital and even give them guidance on what kind of questions they should be asking. Helping parents understand what is going on with their premature baby can provide a huge relief during a stressful situation. Working closely with the parents enables the case manager to make huge strides toward establishing a relationship with them.
Home Visits
An important next step is a home visit by the case manager to assist the parents in readying their home for their new arrival (when included in the plan coverage). The case manager will work with the hospital to find out what the family will need when the preemie is discharged. It is then the CM’s job to help the family make an educated decision on what suppliers to use for any needed equipment and/or what resources are available to the family, such as First Steps.
All of this assistance is at the heart of case management; but just as importantly, the goal in the end is to educate the family enough so they no longer need to rely on a case manager to care for their premature baby. In the end, a case manager wants and encourages the new family to reach a point of confidence and self-sufficiency so she can move on to the next family in need.
Disease Management – 3 Secrets Every Parent Should Know
Case managers can help parents with the unknown and frightening responsibility of disease management for their children, a job for which none of us (as parents) are prepared.
The broad term of disease management can cover everything from diabetes, cystic fibrosis or cerebral palsy to premature infants, congenital anomalies (cleft lip, club foot) or traumas (injuries from accidents). When faced with caring for their children on a day-to-day basis, Primary Pediatric Management wants parents to be aware of three important secrets to obtaining the best care for your child:
1. ADVOCATE ACTIVELY – “Advocate” is the biggest buzz word in medical care and case management these days. As the parent, you need to speak up for yourself and, in the process, for your child. If you think something is wrong, you need to let someone know. “Something” could actually turn out to be something. Don’t let people brush you off when you sense something isn’t right; follow your instincts. Trust yourself. Primary Pediatric Management advocates for the patient and teaches families how to do the same.
2. BE INSURANCE SAVVY – Be aware of and understand your insurance dollars and how the deductibles and co-pays work. Become a good consumer of healthcare dollars so you don’t max out. Don’t waste money doing things that are unnecessary. Learn what your responsibilities are under your insurance plan. Many parents don’t know about the parameters of their health insurance plans until someone in the family gets sick.
3. BE RESOURCEFUL USING AVAILABLE RESOURCES – Families have choices and programs that they can tap into, including alternative funding sources. One example of a Missouri program is called First Steps (for children up to 3) which provides services and assistance to children who have delayed development or conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities. Our case managers can help you find these options and resources.
If you utilize these three secrets in the care of your child, you’ll be helping not only him or her, but yourself, as well, reducing your stress levels and improving your peace of mind.
If you have any questions about the three secrets or have an example of a success you’ve experienced putting one or more of these secrets to good use, please contact Primary Pediatric Management Inc. at 877.734.PEDS (7337).
What is Case Management?
Every parent’s worst nightmare is a seriously sick child or one who has a lifelong or life-threatening illness. Not only is there worry over the immediate prognosis and recovery, but also about how to care for the child once he or she returns home from a hospital stay. What can the parents expect when they have to care for their child on their own at home? How are medications administered? What resources are available to help and which services and/or equipment are best? How can they get the best care and make their insurance coverage last?
These, and many more questions, can be answered by utilizing case management.
So what, exactly, is case management? The Case Management Society of America defines it as:
“A collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality, cost-effective outcomes”.
Originally, case management grew out of post-war social services put in place to help injured veterans get settled back at home. From there it began to encompass workmen’s comp cases where nurses or social workers were enlisted to help workers get the best possible care until they could get back to work. In the late 80’s, case management entered the medical field to assist insurance companies and patients alike in overseeing medical care before and after being discharged from the hospital.
Today case management services (in some circles it is called care management) can be provided at the hospital, by managed care organizations, and by private case management specialists/companies, such as Primary Pediatric Management, Inc.
The services of a private case management specialist or company are generally enlisted by the insurance companies to help members covered by their plans get the best care and outcomes possible for the coverage they have.
The greatest benefit of a company like Primary Pediatric Management is the ability to give focused, individualized attention because of its smaller case loads. On-site visits are another important care option that is not readily provided by case managers with heavier case loads. Ideally, a case manager can help achieve maximum client wellness by identifying appropriate providers and facilities, identifying resources and facilitating access, and…of utmost importance…creating autonomy for the parents through teaching them how to be self-advocates throughout the treatment process and beyond.
If you have a child or loved one who will require ongoing medical treatment at home after a hospital stay or who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness needing specialized care, find out if you qualify for the help of a case management specialist and learn how it can be of benefit to you.
Contact Primary Pediatric Management, Inc. at 314.963.1307 or toll free at 877.734.PEDS (7337) for more information and a free 15-minute consultation with our case management specialists.
Contact Us
Health Management Connect
(formerly Primary Pediatric Management Inc.)
Helping facilitate positive outcomes for patients, families and payers.
Toll Free: 877.734.7337
Telephone: 314.963.1307
FAX: 314.963.1398
1419 Bridle Road
Saint Louis, MO 63119
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