Support Services
At Duke Children's Hospital, we understand that, at times, there is a need for additional support to patients and families to help get them through a time of crisis or cope with a chronic illness. We offer many services to provide this added care. From the Child and Adolescent Life Specialists who are professionally trained to help your child deal with hospitalization to the Chaplains who offer comfort and spiritual strength, Duke Children's Hospital staff is here to support your child and family before, during and after your hospital visit.
- Bereavement Services
- Case Managers
- Child and Adolescent Life Specialists
- Decedent Care Program
- Ethics Consultation Service
- Foreign Language Interpreters
- Hospital School Program
- Lactation Services
- Pastoral Services
- Patient Advocates
- Services for the Blind or Visually Impaired
- Services for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Patients
- Social Workers
- Volunteers
Bereavement Services
Duke Bereavement Services representatives help support patients and families before, during, and after a death. They educate people, coordinate services, and refer people to helpful resources both within the Medical Center and in the community.
For more information, call 919-684-4750.
Case Managers
Case Managers are available in areas where the Patient Resource Management Program has not yet been established. Case Managers ensure communication between you, your medical team, and your insurance company to obtain approval/payment for services. Discharge planning needs in areas not yet covered by the Patient Resource Management Program will be covered by the Department of Social Work. To learn whether you are in an area served by Case Managers or Patient Resource Managers, ask your nurse.
For more information, call 919-668-2483.
Child and Adolescent Life Specialists
The Child and Adolescent Life staff consists of professionals trained in child development and special education. Using their knowledge of child growth and development issues and children's reactions to the stresses of illness and medical procedures, Child and Adolescent Life Specialists:
- Help patients develop ways to cope with fear, anxiety, separation and adjustment to the hospital experience.
- Provide developmentally-appropriate information to children and adolescents about their diagnosis and treatments.
- Use age-related activities to prepare patients for procedures and foster their recuperation.
- Provide consultation to the healthcare team regarding developmental and psychosocial issues.
- Provide preparation and individualized support before and after medical procedures.
- Facilitate developmentally-appropriate play, including medical play, at the bedside, in activity rooms and in clinic areas.
- Initiate tutoring services.
Decedent Care Program
Part of Bereavement Services, the Decedent Care program ensures that the details at the time of death of a patient are handled in a thorough and sensitive manner. Program representatives help coordinate the paperwork when a patient dies, provide helpful and clear information to the deceased family, and help the family make arrangements with a funeral home.
Ethics Consultation Service
Duke University Hospital's Ethics Consultation Services (ECS) helps caregivers, patients, and patient's families resolve ethical issues surrounding patient care. These issues may include starting or withdrawing life support, and patients' and families' rights to refuse recommended therapies or limit therapeutic efforts. The ECS includes physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains; they may consult with others who have expertise related to the concern at hand. The ECS is solely an advisory service. There are no charges for an ethics consultation.
You may request a consultation by paging 919-970-8209.
Foreign Language Interpreters
Trained volunteers or agency interpreters are available to interpret for limited English-speaking patients, family members and healthcare providers. Interpreter services can be arranged for any language, and this service is provided free of charge. Respect for cultural practices and beliefs and adherence to a strict code of ethics, which includes the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality, are upheld at all times. If an interpreter is necessary, please inform a member of your unit's healthcare team.
For more information, call 919-681-3007.
Hospital School Program
The Hospital School Program is part of the Durham Public School system and is staffed by North Carolina certified teachers. Each year, the school serves about 420 school-aged children in grades Pre-K through 12. This population includes children with chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, psychiatric and behavioral disorders and physical rehabilitation needs.
The Hospital School Program is a great benefit because it enables patients to continue their studies while undergoing medical treatment. The services of the Hospital School Program may include testing, direct instruction, and communication between the home school and the Hospital School staff. The Hospital School staff also helps with the transition of children back to their home school.
Full credit is given for the work completed at the Hospital School and for the number of school days attended. When a student is enrolled for an entire grading period, the report card is completed by the Hospital School teacher. Students' cumulative records remain with the home school.
Parents/guardians can help by bringing textbooks and assignments for planned admissions to the hospital and by sharing information about their child's specific educational needs.
For more information, call 919-684-5684.
Lactation Services
Duke Children's Hospital recognizes that breastfeeding is important to the health and wellbeing of their children. Our Lactation Consultant works as part of the child's healthcare team to promote and support breastfeeding. The Lactation Consultant:
- gives breastfeeding support and education to mothers.
- works with mothers to prevent and manage breastfeeding problems.
- supports breastfeeding infants with special healthcare needs, such as congenital heart disease and prematurity.
- helps mothers maintain milk supply when separated from their babies.
- teaches mothers how to use breast pumps.
- assists mothers in finding breast pumps and equipment.
- provides educational programs for health care providers.
For more information, call 919-620-5374.
Pastoral Services
Chaplains at Duke Children's Hospital are welcoming of persons of all faiths and are available 24 hours a day to offer spiritual and emotional support to your child and family. Sensitive consideration is given to your family's religious tradition and primary language. There is a chapel on the sixth floor of Duke Hospital, where ecumenical chapel services are held at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Sunday services at the Duke University Chapel are broadcast on Channel 50 at 11:00 a.m.
You may request a Chaplain's visit at any time by calling our office directly at 919-684-3586 or by asking your nurse to page us.
Patient Advocates
The Department of Patient and Visitor Relations is available to work with families to address a wide variety of questions and concerns. As advocates for you and your family, patient relations representatives can:
- Listen to and follow up on your concerns or complaints about quality of care.
- Answer questions about patients' rights.
- Orient your visitors to the hospital.
- Arrange for special services or direct you to resources in the community.
For more information, call 919-681-2020.
Patient Resource Managers
Patient Resource Managers work closely with the physician and healthcare team to coordinate your child's care throughout yourhis or her hospitalization and to ensure you have the resources you and your child need once you leave the hospital and return to your community. Patient Resource Managers work with you and:
- Your health care team to make sure and your family understand and can actively participate in the plan of care.
- Your insurance company to obtain approval/payment for services.
- Healthcare agencies you may need to continue your care once you leave the hospital
For more information, call 919-668-2483.
Services for the Blind or Visually Impaired
Resources for patients who are blind or visually impaired include:
- Touchable Art Gallery
- Triangle Radio Reading Service
- TV Guide
- Materials on Audiocassette Tape
- Patients' Rights in Braille
For more information, call 919-681-2020.
Services for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
This free service includes American Sign Language for the hard of hearing or deaf patient. In addition, Duke Children's provides:
- Closed Caption Devices: Your TV remote control can turn on your TV's closed captioning system. Contact your nurse for assistance if needed.
- Door Sensors: For a visual sensor to tell you when someone is knocking at your door, call 919-681-2020.
- Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD): Call 919-681-2020 to make arrangements for this free service.
If an interpreter is necessary, please inform a member of your unit's healthcare team or call 919-681-2020 for more information.
Social Workers
Clinical Social Workers are trained, licensed professionals who provide a range of psychosocial services to enhance the quality of care for children, teens and their families, both within the hospital and the community.
By understanding patient and family concerns, social work professionals join with families to develop options and plans that meet their child's health, developmental and emotional needs.
At your request, or the request of other hospital staff, an experienced social worker can meet with you to:
- Discuss your family's needs and concerns
- Assist you in securing available community resources and/or financial assistance
- Provide individual, family, and group counseling
For more information, call 919-681-4722.
Volunteers
Volunteers are a special part of your support network Duke Children's. They serve in more than 20 different programs, and do everything from providing entertainment and serving meals to offering a listening ear. If you would like a volunteer to visit you, please contact the Volunteer Program Coordinator at 919-681-6088.
