As the family member of a child having heart surgery at Rush, you will encounter a number of people involved in your child's care. This web page is designed to explain to you the different people you will meet. The pediatric cardiothoracic surgery team consists of surgeon Dr. Joseph Amato and Joanne Bushong, RN . Every patient and family meets with the surgeon and nurse before the operation. During this consultation, the procedure, the reasons why it needs to be performed, and the risks involved are discussed.
Every effort is made to answer all of the family's questions.
Most patients have a regular cardiologist who they have seen in the past and will continue to see after the operation. While your child is in the hospital, one of the cardiologists will have the care of the in-hospital patients as his or her exclusive assignment. Family members can be assured that a cardiologist is always informed and available for all of the patients in the hospital. The cardiologists actively participate in the care of patients in the hospital. They are all experienced in delivering anesthesia for children undergoing heart operations.