Transition of Care in Congenital Heart Disease: Ensuring the Proper Handoff.

Background: With great advances in medical and surgical care, most congenital heart disease patients are living in to adulthood and require lifelong surveillance and expert care for adult onset complications. Care lapse and lack of successful transfer from pediatric to adult care put young adults at risk for increased morbidity and premature death. Hence, transition and transfer from pediatric to adult care is a crucial and critical process to provide access to specialized care and lifelong surveillance.

Adult congenital heart disease nurse coordination: Essential skills and role in optimizing team-based care a position statement from the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD).

Background: Founded in 1992, the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD) is the leading global organization of professionals dedicated to pursuing excellence in the care of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) worldwide. Among ISACHD's objectives is to "promote a holistic team-based approach to the care of the adult with CHD that is comprehensive, patient-centered, and interdisciplinary" (http://www.isachd.