Your Child's Team of Caregivers - Cardiothoracic Surgery

Many people from the Heart Institute will help you care for your child before, during and after surgery.  Here are a few of the team members you’ll meet:

Surgeon

This doctor performs the heart surgery and also is your child’s attending doctor during the hospital stay.  An assistant surgeon will help the surgeon during the operation.

Cardiologist

Your child’s heart doctor will visit your child while he or she is in the hospital and will continue to see your child as needed after the hospital stay.

Intensivist

This doctor is trained in the care of very sick children and will assist your surgeon in planning the care in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) after surgery.

Fellow

This doctor has received training in heart surgery and is receiving additional training in pediatric heart surgery at our hospital.

Anesthesiologist

This doctor is responsible for administering and monitoring anesthesia during your child’s surgery. The anesthesiologist will check the medical history, including any possible drug allergies, while visiting with you and your child.

Case Manager or Care Coordinator

The case manager, who is a nurse, follows your child’s case in the hospital.  He or she will help prepare you and your child for the operation and will show you how to care for your child at home after the surgery.

Nurse Practitioners

In both the CTICU and 6 West (the Recovery Unit), these specially-trained nurses work with doctors and nurses to assist in your child’s care.

Ambulatory Clinic Representative

This person will schedule your initial appointment with the surgeon and gather information such as your address, child’s date of birth and insurance coverage.

Surgery Scheduler

After you have met with the surgeon, a scheduler will help set a date for the surgery and get authorization for the operation from your insurance company.