Children’s Hospital Home Care Goes the Extra Mile for International Patients

Abstract

This article describes how one pediatric home care department, part of a large children’s hospital, provides culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, family-centered care to its international patients. Understanding that family and ethnic factors shape responses to illness and potential acceptance of American health care, health care organizations may need to adapt their care models to respect and integrate a family’s culture. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Home Care department executes a culturally congruent program that establishes trust, coordinates care, and goes the extra mile to promote best practices and optimal outcomes for its international patients. Success is supported by a health care system that provides a culturally sensitive environment, a full-spectrum language services program, and an interdisciplinary care team that collaboratively and safely transitions patients from hospital to home care or home country.