The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, known for its expertise in general and specialized pediatric rehabilitation, is among a select group of facilities world-wide that has been recognized and named a Passy-Muir® Center of Excellence. Representatives from Passy-Muir, Inc. will present the award at The Children’s Institute on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 9:30 AM.
The distinction recognizes health care facilities that have demonstrated outstanding teamwork, education, and utilization of the in providing patients with tracheostomy tubes and ventilator dependence a step towards independence and enhanced quality of life.
“Patients using a Passy-Muir® Valve are able to speak and eat early in their recovery, even while they are still on the ventilator. These abilities motivate and empower our kids to work with our team to get stronger,” noted Marybeth Trapani-Hanasewych, M.S. CCC-SLP, Director of Speech/Language Therapy at The Children’s Institute.
The Passy-Muir® Valve is a medical device invented by a patient named David A. Muir that provides patients with tracheostomy tubes and ventilator dependence the ability to speak. Because the Passy-Muir® Valve also improves swallowing ability, various pulmonary functions, and assists patients with weaning from the ventilator, it decreases recovery time, reduces hospital costs, and enhances the quality of life for patients.
While the Passy-Muir® Valve is commonly used in facilities around the nation, The Children’s Institute has met a set of high standards which facilitates early and successful use of the valve with patients. The keys to success include the development of a multi-disciplinary team approach to caring for these patients and advanced education and skills training in use of this technology.
“Being named a Center of Excellence demonstrates The Children’s Institute’s commitment to providing the highest level of care. Our entire team worked very hard together for this recognition so that patients, family members and other clinicians in the community will know we have a unique set of skills and experience to care for these patients with exceptional outcomes,” noted Trapani-Hanasewych.
About The Children’s Institute
Established in 1902, The Children’s Institute is an independent, nonprofit, licensed organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, young people and their families by providing a specialized continuum of services that enables them to reach their potential. Its pediatric rehabilitation programs are nationally-recognized. The Children’s Institute is the only CARF-accredited freestanding pediatric specialty rehabilitation hospital in Pennsylvania, and one of only five in the nation. The Day School is an approved private school serving nearly 200 students from 67 school districts. Through Project STAR, The Children’s Institute offers a wide array of family-centered adoption and foster care services. Visit www.amazingkids.org or call 412-420-2400 to learn more.
About Passy-Muir, Inc.
Founded in 1985, Passy-Muir, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and distributor of communication devices for tracheostomized and ventilator dependent patients, including the Passy-Muir® Tracheostomy and Ventilator Swallowing & Speaking Valve, the only patented bias closed position “no leak” valve designed to fit adult and pediatric tracheostomy tubes. Passy-Muir, Inc. is committed to improving the quality of life of tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent patients. One approach is through clinical education of patients and clinicians. To learn more about the Passy-Muir Valve and free clinical education opportunities visit the Passy-Muir website at www.passy-muir.com or call 800-634-5397 to speak to a Passy-Muir Clinical Specialist.