Adding the Extra Touch in Pediatric Patient Care

**by Heather Johnson

Caring for sick children is both rewarding and exhausting. You try so hard to make them feel as little pain as possible while keeping a positive spin on whatever the situation is. It’s part of your job to always be smiling even when the child is in dire straits. Adding the extra little touch that can brighten their day and improve their health is something all practitioners should try to apply each and every shift. It’s not always easy as some days are certainly better than other but the children deserve their caregivers to go that extra mile. Here are a few tips for a variety of situations that could help you help your patients:

1. Never lose track of a child’s toys. Many hospitals will attach the same ID band that a patient is wearing to the patient’s toys. This way a patient can be quickly reunited with their precious toys that mean so much to them like a teddy bear. This is a great system that ensures that toys will be recovered and returned to the proper patients which will brighten up a sad moment.
2. Let the patient get used to his or her surroundings. So many kids are frightened to death about their impeding stay at a hospital that many institutions invite the patient and his or her family to come in a few days before their due to arrive. Show the child where they’ll be staying and let them get a feel for the environment. When a child is familiar with where they’re headed they’ll be much more comfortable right from the start of their treatment period.
3. Set up a schedule. Children have difficulty grasping how long a given period of time actually is and this can be tough when they’re begging for a cast to come off. It it’s going to be two weeks then set up a calendar where they can cross off each day before the big moment when the cast will finally come off. Giving young patients a chance to feel actively involved in the healing process helps ease their anxiety.
4. Ditch the candy as treats. While lollipops and other candies are still popular as rewards or treats in a pediatric setting, many hospitals have tried to avoid this habit. Some give away other more rewarding prizes like finger puppets that aren’t unhealthy and can be fun for patients and their families.

**This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on online nursing schools. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.