Chronic Illness Management Program

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Our Specialized Services

The Chronic Illness Management Program (CIMP) focuses on treating children (up to age 21) with chronic, life-altering conditions including:

  • Diabetes
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Sickle cell
  • Heart disease
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Organ transplants
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Other conditions that require strict adherence to prescribed treatment regimens

Our Individualized Approach

All participants in the Chronic Illness Management Program undergo an enhanced evaluation which is completed by the team medical provider and a mental health professional to assess the patient’s physical, emotional, mental, and psychological status. The team will then make recommendations for ongoing treatment; this may include ongoing outpatient services, referral for a follow-up with specialty providers, referral for mental health services, and/or admission to the four-week inpatient Chronic Illness Management Program located in New Brunswick, NJ.

Behavioral Approach

The behavioral approach includes:

  • Direct instruction to develop new skills/knowledge
  • Shaping of appropriate behavior
  • Reinforcement of positive behaviors
  • Experiential learning
  • Generalization of skills across activities and settings
  • Use of visual tools
  • Medication education
  • Structured nutritional counseling and instruction
  • Supportive psychological counseling

Treatment Environment

The treatment environment includes:

  • Intensive and varied daily exercise
  • Shopping/cooking experiences to promote good nutrition
  • Multiple daily therapies/activities
  • Outings to promote community reintegration
  • Family education and counseling
  • Psychological and educational testing, as indicated, to identify learning issues

Interventions

The interventions that patients can receive in an individual, group, or family format include:

  • Diabetes education with Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
  • Other disease specific education with a Clinical Nurse Educator
  • Nutrition/dietitian support
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Recreational therapy
  • Psychological therapy
  • Child Life support
  • Patient Care coordination

Continuous glucose monitoring is available for diabetes patients in combination with focus on gaining metabolic control. Together, this represents a powerful vehicle for making effective and informed changes in each individual's diabetes care.

At the conclusion of an inpatient stay, our expectation is that each patient is significantly more independent at managing their medical condition. A principal goal of the program is to ensure a healthy transition back into the community. This means we help patients work with their outpatient medical treatment team, school, and community-based agencies to ensure success once they return home.

All patients who participate in the inpatient program attend follow up appointments at three, six, and 12 months post-hospitalization. These follow up appointments are with a medical provider, mental health clinician, and a nutritionist/diabetes care and education specialist to promote continued success in managing the chronic condition.

Outpatient Chronic Illness Management Program

Our Outpatient Program is offered at Children's Specialized Hospital sites throughout NJ and consists of individual or group mental health support, nutrition support, and physical and/or occupational therapy evaluations and treatment.

Chronic Illness Management Program Resources

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Children's Specialized Hospital's Chronic Illness Management Program was named on Becker's Hospital Review's inaugural list of 36 hospitals and health systems with great diabetes programs and received the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Education Recognition Program certification.

Patient Stories

  • "I am glad I came here because I got to meet amazing staff and other girls with Type 1 Diabetes my age, which is something I really needed.”

    Emma
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  • I told my mom and my doctor that I wanted to come back to Children’s Specialized Hospital, said Ariely. I knew the program had everything I needed to take control of my diabetes again.

    Ariely
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Patient Stories

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Children's Specialized Hospital
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(888) 244-5373
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Chronic Illness - Pediatric Treatment & Care

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