The hospital can be a scary place for a child. That is why Emerson Health's Pediatric Intervention Team (PIT), comprised of certified child life specialists, offers emotional support to help ease the fears and anxiety of children — and their families — wherever they are in the hospital.
Role of the Pediatric Intervention Team
Whether your child is receiving care at Emerson or visiting a family member who is, our Pediatric Intervention Team is available to help them — and you — cope during the experience. We are here to:
Guide children and families through the surgical experience by providing day-of preoperative teaching and education. Preoperative teaching and/or a tour of our surgical area can also be arranged in advance of your child's surgical date by calling 978-287-3423 .
Support children during diagnostic imaging, blood draws, IV starts and difficult procedures, whether during an inpatient, outpatient or emergency visit
Reduce children’s fears and anxiety by creating an environment that promotes coping and builds resiliency
Offer activities for distraction and relaxation while using play as a child’s way of understanding his/her hospital experience
Provide age-appropriate explanations to children who are visiting critically ill family members and comfort families through end-of-life and bereavement
Consult with caregivers who have received a serious illness diagnosis on how to share the difficult news with their child
Children’s Comfort Promise at Emerson Health Easier and More Comfortable Pokes for Children
Research shows that when young children experience pain, it affects their healthy brain development and growth. At Emerson, we make needle pokes easier for children by reducing their pain and anxiety. When children need to receive a vaccine, have bloodwork done, or start an IV, our child life and nursing staff use four simple steps for a more comfortable experience.
Numbing: Using scientifically proven numbing creams and tools like Buzzy and ShotBlocker , they prep their skin before the poke, significantly reducing discomfort.Sugar water or breastfeeding: Babies twelve months or younger can sip sucrose or sugar water to ease the discomfort. Breastfeeding babies find solace in nursing during the procedure.
Distractions: Our providers engage children with fun distractions like pinwheels, bubbles, teddy bears, tablets, or virtual reality goggles, diverting their attention from the procedure and decreasing pain.
Comfort positions: Ensuring the child feels secure and cozy, whether snuggling with a parent, sitting on their lap, or sitting upright in a chair enhances their sense of safety and comfort throughout the process.
VIDEO
Podcast
Listen to our Health Works Here podcast with Vicky Hopley and Mallory Harrison , Emerson child life specialists, who talk about their role on the Pediatric Intervention Team and how they assist parents in preparing a child for surgery. [Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Spotify ]
