My daughter needs to undergo a surgical procedure, and the doctor has recommended “minimally invasive” surgery. What type of surgery is this? Will it be as safe — and effective — as standard surgery? – Julianne Minimally invasive surgery is becoming more and more common in hospitals. These procedures are …
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What Is Informed Consent?
My son is having surgery in a few weeks. The nurses have given us pamphlets and educational materials to learn more about it, in preparation for something called “informed consent.” What does this mean? – Ned Informed consent is a legal term. It means that you are fully aware of …
When Your Child Needs a Heart Transplant
If your child needs a heart transplant, you’re probably feeling lots of emotions all at once — including anger, sadness, worry, and frustration. These feelings can become overwhelming, especially when your child is waiting for a new heart. Fortunately, many kids who undergo heart transplants go on to live normal, …
Anesthesia – What to Expect
When your child is having any kind of procedure or surgery that requires anesthesia, it’s understandable to be a little uneasy. You probably have plenty of questions about everything — from how the anesthesia is given, to what your child will experience, to where you’re allowed to be. What happens …
Anesthesia Basics
No doubt about it, getting an operation can be stressful for kids and adults alike. If your child is scheduled for surgery, you may have questions or concerns about anesthesia. The thought of your child being unconscious or temporarily losing sensation can be downright unnerving, whether your child is 7 …
Electronic Health Records
Not that long ago, doctors and nurses would write notes in a patient’s chart — often a sheaf of papers fastened to a clipboard — during an office visit. These notes then would be added to the patient’s ever-expanding medical file, which was physically stored on the premises. Until the …
Financial Planning for Kids With Special Needs
As friends worry out loud about how they’ll pay for their kids’ college education, the parents of children with special needs have worries that extend beyond the few years it takes to get a college degree: How will we pay for the special therapies our child needs now? Who will …
How Can The Affordable Care Act Help Kids?
The Affordable Care Act can help some uninsured people with low incomes, pre-existing medical conditions, or seniors finally find affordable health care coverage. But can these laws benefit my kids? – Elisa There’s some confusion around these laws, so it’s important to learn as much as you can about the …
How to Find Affordable Health Care
Many kids in the United States aren’t covered by health insurance, or are covered by plans with high deductibles and limited benefits. If your kids are among them because you can’t afford adequate coverage or your employer-sponsored plan doesn’t cover everything, don’t despair. Programs are available that provide affordable — even free …
How to Shop for Health Insurance
In America today, we all need health insurance. You do. Your kids do. It’s not a “nice to have” anymore — it’s a “must-have.” And that’s the law. In most cases, parents who aren’t covered (or don’t have their kids covered) by health insurance might have to pay a fine …