What Does the Program Provide?

The Ventilator Assisted Children's Home Program (VACHP) consists of a multidisciplinary team of a physician, pediatric nurses with respiratory critical care experience, and social workers who provide:

Consultation and support to families and institutions who are considering home care of a ventilator assisted child,

Recommendations and advocacy to achieve effective utilization of available funding sources

Post discharge follow-up with families including home visits, advocacy, and coordination of services

Philadelphia Office:
100 N. 20th Street
Suite 201
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-977-8830
215-977-8228 (FAX #)

Pittsburgh Office:
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
One Children's Hospital Drive
4401 Penn Avenue
AOB, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA  15224
1-877-KID-VENT

Assessment, recommendation for improvement, and evaluation of:

• the child's safety within the home and community,
• knowledge and skills of he child's caregivers,
• the child's clinical status, emphasizing respiratory function, nutrition and development,
• educational and community resources and psychosocial functioning of the family,
• access to and utilization of community resources such as family support services and nutritional programs,
• the child's educational program
• Opportunities for families in the program to communicate with and support each other, and
• Limited funding for respite care.

Education - Intensive nurse training courses for nurses to achieve expertise and competency in the care of children who are dependent on technology for life at home, and national and community education via conference, hospital and school presentations to offer our expertise as a resource to other organizations which serve children with complex healthcare needs.

Transition planning - Planning and facilitating solutions for transition challenges of young adults with disabilities who are reaching adulthood.

Who is Eligible?

Any child who:

• is a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
• requires mechanical ventilation,
• is under 22 years of age, and
• is a candidate for home care.

Children who reside in the 44 eastern and central counties receive services from the staff located in Philadelphia.

Children who reside in the 23 western counties receive services from the program staff located in Pittsburgh.

How Are Referrals Made?

Referrals are accepted from hospitals, community agencies and individual families. Please complete the program application and mail it to the main office. Inquiries about the VACHP should be directed through the main office:

Ventilator Assisted Children's Home Program
Children's Anesthesiology Associates, Ltd.
100 North 20th Street, Suite 201
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Toll Free: 877-PA-VACHP
215-977-8830
Fax: 215-977-8228