The investigators want to determine if additional, increased contact with infants and families discharged to home after cardiac surgery improves infant and parent outcomes as compared to usual care.
The investigators want to compare videoconferencing (SKYPE or FACTIME) and a monitoring system called Buddy Check is helpful. Buddy Check is a web-based tool using speech and internet technology to maintain contact with the health care team. Infants are randomized to usual care or the intervention which uses automated daily phone calls and 2 virtual home visits each week. Weights, oxygen levels, and amount of food taken are obtained by the primary caregiver (parent) daily and sent via automated phone call, text message or email messages based on primary caregiver's desired.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
218
Intervention includes: Measuring daily weights, 24 hour intake, heart rate, oxygen level Daily messages requesting weight, intake, pulse ox and pulse are automated Virtual home visits occur twice weekly where the investigators see the infant and families.
Usual care as defined by by the Cardiology Department.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Children's Hospital of PHiladelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Parental Stress Score
Parental Stress will be measured through the use of the total score of Parental Stress Index collected at the completion of the study period for the infant and family, approximately 5 months of infant's life.
Time frame: Within 5 months of infant's life
Parental Quality of life Score
Parental Quality of life will be measured by total score of "QOL, The Ulm Quality of Life Inventory for Parents (ULQIE)" collected at the completion of the study period for the infant and family, approximately 5 months of infant's life.
Time frame: Within 5 months of infant's life
Parental Social Isolation Score
Parental social isolation will be measured by the total score on the Enriched SocialSupport Index with higher scores indicating more support which is collected within 5 months of the infant's life.
Time frame: Within 5 months of Infant's life.
Weight Gain at 5 months.
Weight gain will be measured by change in z scores of infant's weight (measured in grams)which will be obtained at discharge from the hospital and at the end of the study period, approximately 5 months of life.
Time frame: Within 5 months of life
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms will be measured by the number of symptoms on the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale at the end of the study period, within 5 months of the infant's life.
Time frame: Within 5 month's of Infant's Life
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