The radiology department at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital is undergoing a colorful transformation to provide patients a calming experience while having a scan completed. The idea was initiated by the hospital’s child life team after discovering how it could positively impact a child’s experience while receiving care.
“As a child life specialist, I recognize that an experience for a child can change drastically just by incorporating distraction,” said Sharon Wesberry, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital child life manager. “Our hospital is a whimsical and inviting place and we intentionally utilized a lot of the art to help patients through their experience regardless of if they are staying overnight or just visiting us for the day. Transforming this experience to help put kids and their families at ease is definitely one of my favorite highlights here!”
With advanced equipment and methods designed especially for children, the specialized team of pediatric radiology experts at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital provide imaging services as an important part of the treatment plan. This includes CT machines that are commonly used when patients need scans of abdominal and lung areas, are experiencing headaches or may have a head or neck injury and many other conditions. It also includes x-ray machines that are used for things like broken bones, upper gastrointestinal studies, bladder and kidney issues, and barium enemas. These experiences can sometimes be stressful for families and scary for children who often fear unfamiliar, noisy environments.
“Our donors enthusiastically embraced the concept of how the colorful wraps can distract and calm our patients during procedures that can be scary or intimidating,” said Ann Marie Marmande, president, Our Lady of the Lake Foundation.
After a patient checks in for radiology, they get a passport and the adventure begins. Walking into a radiology room, patients are greeted with custom Louisiana scenery and fun, friendly animal ambassadors. Children and their families are able to use their imaginations as a distraction from the procedure, and the radiology team is trained to use fun activities such as scavenger hunts and story time to help put kids at ease.
At a cost of more than $300,000, these advancements are 100 percent funded through donations from local donors, physician partners, community stakeholders, and team members.
“It’s amazing! The artist with Character Farms, hand sketched every design to custom fit both the room layout and each individual machine,” said Wesberry. Her team of child life specialists are experts in child development and are trained in how children respond to stressful environments and events. This exceptional team supports children and their families to help minimize stress and maximize coping using best practices to promote better outcomes.