How extensive is Pediatech Nursing’s pediatric experience?

Our founder was Master’s prepared as a Nurse Clinician with 45 years total neonatal and pediatric experience. Her registered nursing experience included over 21 years managing a pediatric home care agency in Minnesota while promoting optimal health for children through leadership, advocacy, and education.  

Maria Dewey, our Director of Clinical Services, is prepared as a Certified Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.  She has the highest level of nursing education available.  This is atypical and just one of the many strategies Pediatech Nursing uses to deliver the highest quality cares to your special child at home.  Her education combined with 23 years of home care experience, and ability to immediately and consistently consult with Medical Director Dr. Stephen Kurachek (co-founder of Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Specialists and former Director of QUALITY for Minneapolis Children’s Hospital), has given us the tools to provide the highest level and best training both in the classroom and the home.  This ultimately results in the delivery of the highest quality care available.  Additionally, our Clinical Team’s advanced education and training have given the clinical managers the skills to provide in-depth assessments, interpretation and care planning, as well as treatment for acutely, chronically and critically ill children.

Are all nurses CPR, tracheostomy and ventilator trained?

All nurses are required to maintain certification in American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR. Pediatech nurses receive extensive education and orientation. Classroom education, written training materials, and one-to-one mentoring in patient homes combine to ensure they are appropriately prepared to provide excellent care. Ventilator training is provided through a local pediatric DME company.

Does the agency conduct background checks?
Definitely. To maintain the safety of our patients, background, criminal, and credential checks are completed before a nurse works in any patient home. The mandatory state background check is completed through the Minnesota Department of Health NetStudy 2.0 system, which includes finger printing against a database.

What type of license does the agency have?
Pediatech Nursing maintains Minnesota Comprehensive Home Care licensure. The agency recognizes the value of accreditation and its employees have past experience with the accreditation process, including periodic surveys and audits.  As an experienced agency, Pediatech Nursing is in the process of preparing for Joint Commission deemed status including Medicare Certification.

Who oversees the agency to ensure it practices safe care? How are you creating policy and procedure for Covid-19?

The agency complies with the standards of the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with particular attention to the areas of safety, infection control and quality of care.  During the Covid-19 pandemic we are following the guidelines released by MDH and the CDC.  We check guidelines daily and adjust our policy and procedure accordingly.  Additionally, we consult with our Medical Director, Stephen Kurachek, to interpret guidelines and handle specific situations.  It is a great advantage to our patients and families to have an on-call physician for our Clinical Management Team.   

Does the agency have a patient/family Bill of Rights?

Yes. The Bill of Rights will be reviewed with you at the beginning of home care services and annually by the clinical management nurse. A copy of the Bill of Rights is available on the website under the “Families” tab.

Is the agency available 24/7 for all cases to guide care and answer questions?

Yes. Our nurses operate with full clinical support and supervision to ensure delivery of the highest quality patient care. We highly value such support for both our nurses and families. At Pediatech Nursing, families and nursing staff are never alone with 24/7 on-call nurse support.

Can a caregiver take my child to the doctor or to school?

Pediatech nurses can accompany patients to physician appointments, school, and other venues, but they may not provide transportation with their own vehicle or a patient family vehicle. Nurses will work with parents, teachers, school administrators and others to develop a family-specific transportation plan.

We live in the country; how far are you willing to travel?

Although our office is located in Minnetonka, we will travel to any area in Minnesota where a patient lives and hire nurses specifically in the area.