|
|
|
P-PEC Nurses
April 7, 2008 |
At first glance the P-PEC nursery may seem like an average daycare full of
childlike sounds and sights. But when you look a little closer you can tell it’s
quite different. Lori Hivley is a Registered Nurse who works at P-PEC. She says,
“Our kids they all have chronic medical conditions that don’t allow them to go
to a normal day care just because they need medical care throughout the day.”
P-PEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. It’s a specialized unit at
Healthpark Medical Center where many of the teachers wear stethoscopes and the
student’s ventilators. “A normal day care they wouldn’t monitor as closely the
medical needs of these children as we can. We provide their medications,
therapies; we’re in touch with the doctors. They get more intense therapy and
treatment through a program like this,” says Lori. Renee Verville is a
registered nurse and respiratory therapist at P-PEC. She says, “I’ve been here
11 years and I love my job it’s very fulfilling you get to watch the kids grow
and get better.” The children range in ages from newborns to teenagers and have
all types of disabilities and illnesses. But those things don’t stop either the
staff or students from enjoying every day together. “We meet their medical needs
but we do it in a subtle way that they don’t realize they’re any different than
anybody else,” says Lori. Renee agrees that the program is both fun and
rewarding. “ They go from a baby with a tracheotomy and a ventilator to walking
and talking and three years later they come back and visit and it’s just it’s
wonderful makes you happy.” P-PEC is available to parents and kids with a
physician’s referral and insurance coverage. Right now there are nearly 30
children and more than a dozen nurses that keep the P-PEC Unit running. The
program also provides case management and parent support and education. |
|
|
|
