/ en Sun, 15 Jun 2025 08:06:24 -0500 Tue, 10 Jun 25 14:02:33 -0500 /role-hospitals-louisiana-childrens-medical-center-five-hospitals-within-louisiana-childrens-health-system-receive-birth-ready <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-4"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/ths-lcmc-birth-ready-700x532.jpg" alt="Louisiana Children’s Medical Center. A pregant woman sits talking with a female physician" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Five hospitals within the LCMC Health system — East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeside Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, Touro and West Jefferson Medical Center — have earned the Louisiana Birth Ready or Birth Ready+ Designation, a recognition awarded by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC). The designation honors hospitals that have implemented evidence-based practices to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.</p><p>Launchedin 2021, the Birth Ready program evaluates hospitals across five key areas, including clinical readiness, patient partnership and the implementation of policies to address severe maternal morbidity. “LCMC Health is committed to providing the highest quality and best practice of safe patient care for all our patients,” said Toni Flowers, Ph.D., corporate chief social responsibility officer at LCMC Health. “All five of our birthing hospitals have demonstrated this commitment by obtaining and sustaining Birth Ready and Birth Ready+ designations. We applaud our team’s dedication to achieving improved health outcomes for mothers and infants in our community.”</p><p>This achievement is part of a broader statewide effort to improve maternal health outcomes. “Birthing hospitals across Louisiana are working diligently to ensure safe and patient-centered care for Louisiana families,” said Veronica Gillispie-Bell, M.D., medical director of the LaPQC.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.lcmchealth.org/blog/2025/march/lcmc-health-celebrates-five-of-their-hospitals-a/">LEARN MORE</a></p><p> </p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/center/population-health">Improving Health and Wellness</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:02:33 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-essentia-health-fargo-kids-follow-dolphins-surfboards-surgery-and-better-health <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-5"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/ths-essentia-sensory-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="An Essentia Health-Fargo patient walks the sensory path with the help of a caregiver" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Essentia Health-Fargo has introduced a brightly colored, ocean-themed sensory path in its pre-op space to make the environment more engaging for kids. Decorated with bubbles, dolphins, turtles, sharks and starfish, the path helps reduce stress and motivate children before surgery.</p><p>"The sensory path has always been a very helpful and motivating tool to offer our pediatric patients as a support to get them out of bed and moving and engaging to heal quicker," said Michelle Finneman, a child life specialist at Essentia.</p><p>First introduced in 2020 in the inpatient unit, the sensory path creates a cohesive environment throughout the unit, keeps kids moving and provides sensory input.</p><p>"They also have a developmental aspect as they provide the appropriate sensory input to decrease sensory-seeking behaviors that we may see in some kids who have autism or ADHD," Finneman said.</p><p>Essentia Health-Fargo also offers remote control cars for surgical patients age 2 to 9, allowing them to drive themselves back to the operating room. Having options and choice helps pediatric patients participate in their own care.</p><p>"One way isn’t going to necessarily work for all,” Finneman said. “For example, some might love our remote cars, but others might be a little hesitant. Development age plays a role, too."</p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:09:12 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-shine-how-vanderbilt-expanded-its-integrated-care-model-opioid-exposed-infants <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-4"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-06/ths-vumc-shine-700x532.jpg" alt="Vanderbilt University Medical Center Shine logo features three fireflies under a shooting star" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Vanderbilt University Medical Center is growing its integrated, multidisciplinary care for infants and children who have been exposed to opioids while in utero.</p><p>In 2021, VUMC began the Firefly Program, in which OB-GYNs, pediatricians and psychiatrists offer a broad range of care, including neurodevelopmental monitoring, to babies from birth to 12 months of age. “Children with intrauterine exposure to opioids may experience differences in how their nervous system develops,” said Neill Broderick, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “These differences can manifest in many ways, such as sensory integration differences, emotional and/or behavioral dysregulation and learning differences.”</p><p>Building off the success of the Firefly Program, VUMC now has a new initiative dedicated to infants and young children exposed to opioids in utero. SHINE (Support and Health for Infants with Neonatal Exposures) uses neurodevelopmental monitoring for the prevention and early detection of developmental delays and differences for children from birth to 6 years old. Using the same integrated approach as the Firefly Program, SHINE brings together general pediatrics; physical, occupational and speech therapy; and the Firefly Program to ensure that patients receive the full scope of care they need. The program also streamlines the care of the mother and the care of the child, improving the chances of success for both.</p><p><a href="https://news.vumc.org/2025/04/21/neurodevelopmental-care-initiative-supports-infants-and-young-children-exposed-to-opioids-in-utero/">Read more about the Firefly Program and SHINE</a>.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/center/population-health">Improving Health and Wellness</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:36:13 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-nurse-donates-piece-her-liver-patient-childrens-hospital-colorado <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-7"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-05/ths-colorado-nurse-liver-donor-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Children's Hospital Colorado nurse Kayla McCarthy" width="700" height="532" class="align-left"></div><p>As a nurse at Children's Hospital Colorado, Kayla McCarthy works tirelessly to support children awaiting or recovering from organ transplants. Inspired by the resilience and strength of her young patients, McCarthy decided to become a living organ donor through UCHealth's program. In May 2024, she was approved for donation to a female toddler in the same hospital where she works, contributing a piece of her liver to the little girl and making a profound difference in the child's life.</p><p>McCarthy’s surgery was done robotically, which allowed for a quicker recovery. She was back to work at two and a half weeks. She has exchanged a letter with the recipient child’s mother and is open to developing a relationship with that family if they are interested. And if not, she’s ok with that too. The goal was to save a life and she did.</p><p>Now McCarthy hopes her story inspires other people to consider living organ donation, too. “I'm really thankful to have the opportunity to do that and to contribute in that way,” she said. “Any time that anybody can make an action that just reflects what they care about it, it doesn't compare. It feels really good.”</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/colorado-news/nurse-donates-liver-to-patient-childrens-hospital-colorado/73-2549bc86-61a8-4ca4-ba3b-aea5f60579d3">LEARN MORE</a></p><p> </p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/workforce-home">Workforce</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Fri, 30 May 2025 13:19:27 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /news/blog/2025-05-30-infancy-adolescence-hospitals-step-support-youth-mental-health <p>Even before the COVID pandemic, the mental health and wellness of our young people was failing. The pandemic <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/mental-health/mental-health-numbers.html" target="_blank">exacerbated the crisis</a> and made it difficult for them to access needed care; many health care systems are still struggling to meet the challenge. Though Mental Health Awareness Month is coming to an end, AHA will continue to track and share how behavioral health care specialists are working hard to improve access to timely, high quality behavioral health treatment for children and adolescents.</p><p>Today we released a <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2025-05-30-bringing-virtual-behavioral-health-care-access-rural-youth-west-virginia" target="_blank">podcast</a> from a child and adolescent psychiatrist at West Virginia University about improving access to care for young people with mental health diagnoses who live in rural areas; we also have a new video about how Corewell Health is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLorDolgwSM" target="_blank">improving access to behavioral health care in schools</a>. This year, we’ll be digging deeper and telling the stories of how <a href="https://www.1011now.com/2024/08/20/nebraska-hospital-association-shares-benefits-report-new-initiatives-combat-mental-health/" target="_blank">Children’s Nebraska</a> has trained nearly 100 providers across the state to help treat mild to moderate mental health conditions in young people and how a <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/behavioral-health-wellness/pediatric-mental-health-urgent-care" target="_blank">new facility at Golisano Children’s Hospital</a> in New York addresses urgent behavioral health matters for the area’s youth. </p><p><strong>Behavioral Health Care for Life </strong></p><p>Just as physical needs change as people age, so do behavioral health care needs. We speak often about the need to “treat the whole person, mind and body;” now the conversation is evolving to treat the whole person for their whole life. </p><p>The AHA is committed to highlighting how our member hospitals and health systems provide high quality, innovative behavioral health care, often through our <a href="/tellingthehospitalstory" target="_blank">Telling the Hospital Story project</a>; we encourage you to submit how your organization is meeting the needs of your community. We also will continue to develop resources that help hospitals meet the needs of their communities. Our new <a href="/infographic-realities-behavioral-health-older-adults" target="_blank">infographic on behavioral health care in older adults</a> and our <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2025-05-07-postpartum-mental-health-breaking-stigma-women-infants-hospital" target="_blank">recent podcast</a> on breaking the stigma surrounding postpartum mental health show that we understand that behavioral health must be tailored to the patient. Nothing — not age, not location, not circumstance — should stop someone from becoming the healthiest version of themselves. </p> Fri, 30 May 2025 12:56:38 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-sanford-medical-center-bismarck-virtual-reality-headsets-help-pediatric-patients-relax-explore <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-5"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-05/ths-Sanford-Health-VR-Headsets-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Sanford Medical Center Bismarck. Children sit in a Sanford playroom wearing VR headsets" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>A donation of virtual reality headsets to for pediatric patients at Sanford Medical Center Bismarck has opened new pathways to pain management, anxiety reduction and mental stimulation. Children can experience scenarios ranging from calming nature scenes to interactive simulations of MRI scans.</p><p>Child Life specialists have been trained to use the VR headsets as part of Sanford’s Child Life program. The VR sessions are designed by health care professionals and can help distract children and reduce their stress during blood draws, accessing ports or other procedures.</p><p>“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of K&L Homes and the Moldenhauer family and their commitment to improving the lives of our youngest patients,” said Sara Haugen, Sanford Health Foundation vice president. “This addition to our patient care will make a meaningful difference in their overall recovery process.”</p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Mon, 19 May 2025 14:29:50 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-advocate-childrens-illinois-hospital-launches-pediatric-heart-transplant-program <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-05/ths-advocate-pediatric-heart-transplant-group-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Advocate Children's transplant patient Nataly Paramo sits smiling in a group photo with the Advocate transplant team" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>During a routine physical before joining her high school basketball team,15-year-old Nataly Paramó was advised to go straight to the emergency room at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, where doctors determined her heart was enlarged and weak.</p><p>The East Chicago, Ind., teen had no history of heart disease. Doctors in the pediatric intensive care unit worked for more than a month to repair her heart before deciding that the only option to save Nataly would be a heart transplant — which would make her the first pediatric heart transplant recipient at the hospital. Since her procedure, two other pediatric patients also have received heart transplants and all three are successfully recovering at home.</p><p>“We are proud to offer the life-sustaining gift of transplant to our patients facing heart failure,” said Dr. Luca Vricella, director of pediatric cardiac surgery. “Over the past several years, we have continued to treat more heart patients in need of donor hearts. This new program means that these children and their families will continue to receive care from the expert team they know and trust. Our pediatric heart transplant program is a triumph for some of the sickest children in the region, and a milestone for our hospital.”</p><p>Only about 500 pediatric heart transplants happen every year in the United States — that’s compared to around 4,000 performed on adults annually.</p><p>The pediatric heart transplant program is the culmination of years of planning and preparation through the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA), a partnership between Advocate Children’s Hospital, UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital and Endeavor Health. The alliance performs more than 500 cardiac surgeries a year and has treated more than 15,000 heart patients.</p></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/topics/innovation">Innovation, Research and Quality Improvement</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Wed, 14 May 2025 11:30:32 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /news/headline/2025-05-09-cdc-finds-lower-rsv-hospitalization-rates-infants-receiving-prevention-products <p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention May 8 released an <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7416a1.htm">analysis</a> that found declines in hospitalizations for infants infected with respiratory syncytial virus during the 2024-2025 RSV season — the first with widespread availability of the maternal RSV vaccine and nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody. Rates were 45% to 52% lower for infants less than 3 months old and 28% to 43% lower for those less than 8 months old. As of February, an estimated 66% of infants received either the maternal RSV vaccine or nirsevimab during the 2024-2025 season.</p> Fri, 09 May 2025 15:13:59 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /news/headline/2025-05-07-cdc-nicu-admission-rates-rose-13-2016-2023 <p>Nearly 1 in 10 infants (9.8%) were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in 2023, an increase of 13% from 2016, according to a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db525.htm">report</a> by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were increases from 2016 to 2023 for each maternal age, race and Hispanic-origin group, gestational age and birthweight category, and in most states.  <br>  <br>Infants born to mothers aged 40 and older were more likely than infants born to mothers of all other age groups to be admitted to a NICU in 2016 (12.5%) and 2023 (13.6%). Infants born to mothers aged 20-29 were least likely to be admitted to a NICU in 2016 (8.3%) and 2023 (9.2%).</p> Wed, 07 May 2025 15:37:46 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health /role-hospitals-intermountain-primary-childrens-hospital-opens-new-autism-clinic <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-05/ths-intermountain-childrens-autism-clinic-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Intermountain Health. A young boy sits stacking blocks as a carer looks on" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has opened a new Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic in Riverton, Utah, that aims to address the growing need for autism services in the community. The clinic offers early intensive services such as behavioral assessments, individual therapy, and group therapy for children aged 2-6 years old and is part of the Primary Promise campaign to build a model health system for children, ensuring that families have access to essential autism care.</p><p>“We want children with autism and their families to know that we’re with you on this journey,” said Katy Welkie, chief executive officer of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “With expanded autism services, we can help children thrive.”</p><p>Made possible with a substantial donation from a Utah philanthropist and her family, the new clinic represents a significant step in closing the care gap for autism services in Utah and surrounding states, where there has historically been a shortage of programs and providers. Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital is committed to supporting children with autism and their families, helping them connect to the necessary treatments and services.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://ebu.intermountainhealthcare.org/video/live/intermountain-pc-autism.aspx?j=2403902&sfmc_sub=265543256&l=238325_HTML&u=41337188&mid=515013760&jb=9003">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Thu, 01 May 2025 14:56:36 -0500 Child and Adolescent Health