Patients transitioning from their pediatric medical care center into an adult health care center require ongoing access to their knowledgeable providers and the individualized care plans that are tailored to their needs, including their unique form of communication, their transportation methods and how they receive nutrition.
Families of patients with complex health care needs are often fearful of leaving the bedside during a hospital visit. Common fears include:
- Who will advocate for my son or daughter while I am away to eat or shower?
- Who understands the agitation or anxiety that can accompany an unfamiliar location?
- Will staff understand what my loved one is trying to communicate through their behaviors?
- Who will make sure that information about our hospital stay is communicated to our outpatient primary care doctor and other specialists?
Ohio State’s Complex Care Program provides ongoing family-centered care during an inpatient stay. Amy Poling, MSN Ed., RN, LSN, who is our complex care case manager, and a trained nurse, is considered to be the heart and mind behind this program.
Amy has spent 13 of her 20-plus years working as a nurse focusing her practice on patients who have complex health care needs. Amy works with young adults and their families when they are admitted to Ohio State. She helps bridge them to ongoing care in the outpatient setting through our Complex Care Clinic, where she also provides guidance and connects individuals and their families to community resources, to help decrease hospital admissions.