At Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a new program helps ensure that the 40 or more babies born with single ventricle physiology each year are given the highest possible odds of survival. Cardiologist Jamie Colombo, D.O., co-director of the Single Ventricle Program at Monroe Carell, leads the home monitoring program for these patients and families.

"It's important that families at home learn to watch for red flag warning signs, such as worsening cyanosis, poor weight gain or fevers."

Colombo and her team provide quality care by employing multidisciplinary collaboration and one-on-one provider support. A key part of this care oversight is ensuring that parents diligently monitor and report on their babies' vitals and clinical symptoms, which is key to lowering mortality in the interstage weeks when they are most fragile.