Parent education after newborn congenital heart surgery

The moment an infant is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, parents experience a mixture of shock, disbelief, fear, anger, and often a profound sense of sadness. In the midst of these emotions they must learn to provide for the special needs of their infant. Providing parents with the knowledge and skills to care for their infant during this stressful time requires the concerted effort of a multidisciplinary team who can provide clear, concise, and consistent communication. This article provides a step-by-step guide to the information needs of families who are preparing to take their infants home after cardiac surgery. Parents must understand the underlying cardiac defect and the goals and objectives of the surgical repair. In addition to normal newborn care, parents need to learn about care of the incision, nutritional support, and how to safely administer prescribed medications. Potential complications and when to call their health care provider or seek emergency care are an important focus of teaching. Information about infant development, challenges specific to their infant, and pragmatic strategies to support normal development are of prime interest to parents. Written reference materials, a Web resource list, and a family discharge teaching tool provide tangible resources for the family after discharge.