Thanks to advanced surgical technology, more children with complex cardiac anatomies are living into adulthood. As an adult, it can be difficult to find health care providers who understand the unique physiology or complicated care that’s needed for someone with a congenital heart condition.
The Primary Care for Congenital Heart Disease Transition Program gives adults who had lifesaving or anatomy-altering cardiac surgery as a child continuous care with their pediatric specialist or specialists and other providers while transitioning to a primary care team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The program –– which focuses on finding areas where care coordination can improve preventive and primary health care for people transitioning into adult care –– is a collaboration between:
- Columbus Ohio Adult Congenital Heart (COACH) Program
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Williams Syndrome Clinic
- Nationwide Children's Hospital 22q Center
Working as a team to protect your health and wellness
Because the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center primary care providers on our transition team are already familiar with the complications, tailored preventive medications and other issues related to complex congenital heart disease, they add an additional layer of care and understand the importance of close communication and teamwork with your cardiologist and any other specialists you see.
The team’s goal is to prevent hospitalization, reduce unnecessary emergency care, avoid complications and improve your quality of life and overall physical and mental health.
Transitioning your care
If you would like to get started in the program, have your cardiologist or primary care physician place an electronic referral to Ohio State's Primary Care for Congenital Heart Disease Transition Program. Use Ohio State's MyChart for updated information and appointment details after acceptance to the program.
Physician guidelines for referrals
The Primary Care for Congenital Heart Disease Transition Program is appropriate for young adults with complex congenital heart defects, including:
- Cyanotic congenital heart defect (unrepaired or palliated, all forms)
- Double-outlet ventricle
- Fontan procedure
- Single ventricle (including double inlet left ventricle, tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart, any other anatomic abnormality with a functionally single ventricle)
- Pulmonary atresia
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Truncus arteriosus
Ohio State Congenital Heart Disease Transition Team
Katrina Johnson, MD
Director
Amy Poling, MSN Ed., RN, LSN
Case Manager