Pediatric Cardiac Volunteer Program Boosts Developmental Care

Research study background

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental delays ranging from motor and cognitive dysfunction to speech and language challenges. A mix of factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, can contribute to these delays. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, our cardiac team is focusing on reducing: 

• Length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital
• Family anxiety and stress
• Childrens' alone time with minimal interaction

Our Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program team developed a volunteer program for pediatric cardiac inpatient units to boost neurodevelopmental care after noticing that volunteers felt uncertain when interacting with cardiac patients. Volunteers received specialized training designed to increase volunteer confidence and competence around children with complex heart conditions. This included how to properly hold, play with and read to patients.

Sherrill Caprarola, MD, a pediatric critical care medicine specialist at Children’s Colorado, led the program evaluation and authored the paper published in Cardiology in the Young. The team used electronic medical records to find children who are medically stable and appropriate for visitors and activity. Our clinicians gave priority to patients 2 years old and younger who were receiving therapy or neurodevelopmental care, had a developmental plan, had a longer length of stay, or who didn't have a caregiver available at bedside.

“With the use of a program like this, volunteers can be comfortable interacting and holding these children, and parents can feel comfortable leaving knowing there are volunteers trained to work with our patients.”

- SHERRILL CAPRAROLA, MD

Children’s Colorado recruited volunteers through the hospital’s Association of Volunteers and the University of Colorado’s Pre-Health Professions program, which facilitates opportunities for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in healthcare.

By the numbers

Between September 2021 and October 2024, 43 volunteers worked 754 shifts. There were 2,310 patient interactions, with an average of 3 patients seen per shift. Volunteers held patients 1,231 times, played with patients 1,230 times and read to patients 780 times.

In a survey among volunteers, respondents reported that their favorite part of volunteering was direct patient interaction, playing with and holding kids. Most said they felt that they had enough support as volunteers.

Clinical implications

Dr. Caprarola and the team found that it’s feasible to recruit, onboard and schedule a recurring group of volunteers for inpatient cardiology units. Not only are the volunteers holding and comforting patients, but they are also providing developmental care as an extension to therapy. Volunteers can decrease negative impacts of hospitalization during a time of developmental vulnerability.

The team looks forward to improving and maintaining the current volunteer program, increasing staffing coverage and assessing improvement in neurodevelopmental outcomes.