IMFH | Patient Guide | Care Manager
Learning that your unborn baby may have a problem that requires care and evaluation both during pregnancy and either at the time of delivery, or shortly thereafter can be overwhelming. Equally overwhelming is the need for additional care, that may involve several different physician specialists, diagnostic tests, and the possibility that your unborn baby need to have special arrangements made for a safe delivery and care at the time of birth.
To assist families with the maze of care, each patient has a dedicated care manager to help you through each step from the time a diagnosis is made, throughout pregnancy, delivery, and transfer to a higher level of care, if needed. This is typically from the time a diagnosis is made, throughout the pregnancy, delivery, and transfer to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for neonatal care if indicated.
The care manager is the person who will form the links in the chain of each family’s care. She will ensure that communication occurs between the IMFH team, the hospitals, and the family. She assists families through each step of the journey, scheduling appointments, arranging physician visits, and tests, explaining, informing, and answering questions, working in short, to take the care of everything to do with getting the care and support needed. She will provide access to supportive services, education and understanding of the baby’s condition, decisions to be made, and options in care.
After the first steps in the process have begun, the care manager will contact each patient, usually by phone. You will have an opportunity to discuss the upcoming appointment, and ask questions.
