Chronic Complex Clinic

The Daniel J. Plasencia, MD Children’s Chronic Complex Clinic at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) that treats children with extraordinarily special needs. Our young patients cope with a variety of complex medical issues simultaneously, some of which include premature birth, cancer and blood diseases, congenital disorders, cerebral palsy and heart conditions. As a result, these children may also experience developmental delays in speech, motor and cognitive development.

As a Patient-Centered Medical Home, our patients can grow up receiving all of their necessary health care in one place which also allows us to get to know them as individuals. We find that parents truly appreciate the convenience, accessibility and continuity of care their children receive in our clinic.

Support

Caring for a chronically ill child can be overwhelming and requires families to adjust and reassess many aspects of their lives. We have specialized team members to support the family as a whole and to empower and involve parents. We also offer a support group for parents and organize special events for families.

Social Worker:

• Provides support to families through counseling and resource referrals
• Serves as an advocate for families between the medical system and other entities

Child Life Specialist:

• Provides developmental and educational support for children and siblings
• Help children develop coping skills through play and therapeutic activities

Case Management

Nurse Care Coordinator:

• Organizes and coordinates all patient care activities and treatments
• Educates families on self-management

Practice Transformation Facilitator:

• Promotes and coordinates patients’ continuity of care as they transition from pediatric to adult health services

Well Visits

At the Chronic Complex Clinic, children receive a complete physical examination as well as a growth and development assessment at each visit. We encourage communication between families and the medical team. Parents receive a complete review of their child’s condition, development, immunizations and continuing care needs. Our clinic does have a mandatory vaccination policy.

Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act

The ACE Kids Act, signed into law on April 18, 2019, is modeled after the St. Joseph’s Children’s Chronic Complex Clinic, which leads the nation in coordinating care for medically complex children. The bipartisan legislation will improve the coordination and delivery of critical health care services across the nation for children with complex medical conditions who rely on Medicaid.

Contact the St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Chronic Complex Clinic at (813) 554-8093 or fax (813) 554-8657.