Women's & Children's Hospital In The Home (HITH) provides inpatient care and support at home for children and newborns who are patients of Western Health.
The Service
Is run by experienced paediatric / neonatal nurses.
Provides continuity of care and transition from hospital to home.
Is for babies and children whose conditions and progress can be safely managed at home.
Keeps your family doctor and the hospital informed of your baby/child's progress.
Provides you with information and support to care for your baby/child at home.
Benefits of HITH
Your baby/child's hospital stay is reduced.
Experienced nurses will visit your home to provide care, support and advice as needed.
Medical supplies and medicines your baby/child may require are supplied by Western Health.
You will have 24 hour phone access to nursing and medical staff while your baby/child is admitted in our Hospital In The Home Program
Families must agree to ….
Allow the specialist HITH staff access to home
Have ready access to transport if your baby/child requires readmission to Hospital
Keep both hospital name bands on your baby until discharge from HITH
Follow all advice about the care of your baby given to you by the HITH staff.
If you are not at home with your baby/child when the HITH staff have arranged to visit you can no longer remain in the HITH Program and will be required to be readmitted to SCN or Children's Ward.
Taking newborns home ….
Remember when you first take your baby home it will be a new environment for them.
Your baby may need time to adjust.
Keep your home free of draughts and at a comfortable temperature for all of the family. Do not over heat or cool the environment. The baby will adapt their temperature control.
We suggest you do not bath your baby for 48 hours after going home; this will help the baby adjust to the new climate at home.