This past year, Evonne Morell, DO, and Libby Lanford, MD, supported by other cardiac specialists, launched the Early Single Ventricle Multidisciplinary Clinic/Home Monitoring Program at UPMC Children’s. Thanks to this initiative, infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), can now be safely discharged home between their first two major surgeries—an enormous breakthrough.
When a baby is born with HLHS, three surgeries are required to repair the heart. The period between the first and second surgery, known as the interstage period, is a critical and vulnerable time. Traditionally, infants remain hospitalized for months to ensure their fragile health is closely monitored, separating them from the comfort and familiarity of home.
In preparation for discharge, caregivers are taught essential skills and provided with feeding education to care for their infant at home. To ensure careful monitoring of the baby’s health, an advanced practice provider from the Heart Institute calls the family daily to receive vital signs, weight, and other measurements, as well as to discuss any concerns. This system not only serves as an early warning for complications but also helps optimize the baby’s growth during this crucial period.
For families, the ability to bring their baby home for three to six months during this critical time is a life-changing gift. Being at home means increased bonding time, a sense of normalcy, and the chance to care for their baby in the comfort of their own environment. This is just one more example of how your support fuels the care, treatment, and research that gives every child the chance to thrive.