| |
 |
Pre-Admission
Orientation and Information
Getting accurate information and being
prepared for the hospital experience is often the first
step in reducing anxiety. Informational packets are available
for families through pre-admission testing and doctor's
offices. Parents and their children are also encouraged
to attend a pre-admission orientation with one of the Child
Life staff. This includes a tour of the pediatric unit,
introductions to unit staff and an overview of the hospital
stay from pre-surgical testing through recovery and discharge.
Based on information from the parents and an assessment
of each child, developmentally appropriate information
is presented through the use of photographs of various
areas in the hospital, medical play and conversation.
|
 |
|
Therapeutic
Play
Daily playroom programs are designed to
address the developmental challenges faced by hospitalized
children. Therapists use arts and crafts, music, horticulture,
games and cooking to normalize the environment and provide
opportunities for socialization, exploration and the expression
of feelings. The playroom is also the place where special
events are celebrated such as holidays and birthdays. |
 |
|
Medical
Play
Children of all ages are encouraged to
play with "pretend" or actual medical equipment
as a way of learning about the hospital environment and
its procedures. Medical play allows children to act out
their feelings and concerns while also alerting the therapist
to any misconceptions they might have. This play can
be offered before procedures to help teach and prepare
children and/or after surgery to help children gain further
understanding and mastery.
Top
of Page
|
| |
|
Individual
Bedside Visits
When children are not feeling well enough or are not
able to come to the playroom, a staff member, student or volunteer
will visit the bedside. Most playroom activities can be adapted for
bedside visits. All rooms have VCRs and CD stereos for diversionary
entertainment. The televisions are also connected to a closed-circuit
video system that allows children to watch movies programmed from
the playroom.
|
|
|
Operating
Room Accompaniment
Before a child's surgery, the anesthesiologist
will discuss the procedure for helping the child go to sleep. If
the parents, doctor, and sometimes the child, agree that it is appropriate,
one parent may be permitted to accompany his or her child to the
operating room. The parent can stay until the child is asleep as
a comfort during the initial phase of anesthesia.
Top
of Page
Pediatric
Library and Computer Center
A full complement of children's books, videos and
audio tapes are available in the pediatric library. There is also
a small collection of books and videos in foreign languages. Parents
and children can visit the library and pick out their favorite books
and videos or selections can be made through volunteers visiting
the bedside. There are two computers available in the library with
CD-ROM programs and Internet access. These are used by children
of all ages for games and school work.
|
 |
|
Pediatric
Meet & Greet Program
To alleviate some of the stress and anxiety
of entering the hospital environment, this volunteer
program will serve to welcome children and families to
the Medical Center and the pediatric unit with activity
packets and goodie bags and an orientation to the setting,
including staff and services.
Top
of Page
|
| |
|
Teen
Esteem Workshop Series
In cooperation with the Social Work
Department, this workshop series was developed to help
address the special needs of teenagers who are living
with chronic and/or life threatening illnesses.
|
| |
|
Parent
Coffee Hour
Most parents find it is helpful to meet
and share experiences with other parents whose children
are hospitalized. Weekday afternoons while their children
are involved in other Child Life programs, parents are
invited to attend a "coffee hour" in the unit
solarium.
|
| |
|
Foster
Grandparents
In cooperation with the NYU Department
of Aging, two Foster Grandparents work Monday through
Friday to comfort, console and entertain children whose
parents may be unable to be present during the day.
|
| |
|
Animal
Assisted Activities/Therapy
Specially
trained dogs and their owners will be volunteering in
the pediatric unit solarium where children who have been
medically cleared will be able to have special visits
with these animals.
Top
of Page
|
