McLeod Children’s Hospital unveils renovated treatment room

A visit to the McLeod Children’s Hospital procedural room can be one of the most stressful moments of a child’s – and family’s – hospital stay. This is where common procedures such as IVs, catheters, blood draws and spinal taps are performed. To help ease anxiety and improve the hospital experience for patients and families alike, the Children’s Hospital team recently opened a renovated procedural room, funded by the McLeod Health Foundation.

Features include a large, comfortable dental chair that children can sit on during treatment, reducing anxiety, and that allows parents to participate in the treatment at the same time, rather than watching. The lighting also has a dimmer switch that allows the brightness to be adjusted for caregivers during treatment or for children who require a quieter environment. Medical equipment that could cause anxiety is hidden, and an AccuVein device makes it easier for both caregivers and patients to start an IV.

Additional features include:

• A custom mural by local artist Adrian Smith with interactive elements, including a “Find-It” game
• An interactive Pixel Pro wall panel that creates fireworks with the child’s favorite colors
• Buzzy Bee Vibrating Ice Packs and Freezing Spray for Needlestick Pain Relief
• iPad, on which the child’s favorite movies or games can be shown for distraction
• Light spinners, “I Spy” books and soap bubbles for distraction.

Subtitles: McLeod Children’s Hospital patient Connor Lee plays with the interactive Pixel Pro panel during a treatment in the newly renovated treatment room.