Patient’s Guide

Tips to Help Your Child

Any medical experience can be overwhelming or frightening for children. Sometimes children are quieter than usual or more likely to stay close to their parents. Sometimes children seem angry or uncooperative. These are just some examples of their reactions in health care settings. Things you can do to help your child during these times are:

• Be honest about why your child is here and what is going to happen. Like adults, children need the truth in order to trust people and to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally. Be honest with your child about what may hurt and what will not hurt. Try to avoid creating undue concern.
• Encourage your child to ask questions and talk about fears. Reassure your child with honest answers and lots of love. Know why your child needs a procedure, how the procedure may feel and how long it will last. Consider staying with your child during the procedure.
• Tell the staff your child’s likes, dislikes, previous medical experiences, coping style, fears, etc. The more we know, the better we can provide the best possible care.
• Don’t tease or threaten your child with a shot or other painful procedures to make him or her behave. Children need to know that shots and other medical procedures are not a form of punishment and that our Associates do not want to hurt kids.
• Use simple language. When describing a medical procedure, try to use words that do not have a double meaning or are threatening. Use the word medicine instead of dye, bed on wheels instead of stretcher.
• Give your child choices. Allowing children to take a more active role in the procedure, such as deciding which finger gets stuck with a needle or whether they sit on the examining table or on a lap for a shot, can help lessen anxiety and pain related to painful procedures.
• Help your child manage pain. Many coping strategies can be used to help reduce anxiety and perceptions of pain and discomfort for your child. Teach your child that deep, steady breathing can help them cope with their pain. Let them squeeze your hand and say “Ouch.” Distract your child with books, songs, blowing bubbles, video games, music, etc., to divert their attention from anxiety and pain.
• Comfort your child. Touching is an important part of healing. If medical needs prevent you from holding or rocking your child, you may still stroke your child or hold your child’s hand.
• Finally, talk to your child when you get home about what it was like in the hospital. Give your child a chance to play. Children deal with stressful experiences by playing. Encourage this and listen to their explanations of why someone would have to go to a hospital. Correct any misunderstandings and answer questions honestly.

Child Life Play Area Guidelines

• No pain- or anxiety-provoking procedures take place in any play area.
• No food or drink is allowed in the playroom unless during a special event or if ordered by a doctor.
• All patients must wear appropriate undergarments and shoes, socks, or slippers.
• Play areas are for patients only.
• All toys must be signed out or left in the playroom.
• Unsupervised children are not allowed in the play area.