How to help your child with tests and procedures
Parents/carers can make a difference during their child's procedures, the resources above can help guide what can be done to make the child's procedure more comfortable.
Ask the staff what choices are available to you and your child, ask staff to support the techniques the child uses to cope with procedures, don't be shy to advocate on behalf of your child.
Provide comfort measures to the child by offering alternatives such as a toy, reading a book, holding a hand, sitting on your knee or lap while the procedure is being done.
Praise your child's efforts, try not to scold or punish the child for being scared or anxious during a test/procedure. It is normal for children to feel " scared" about a hospital, equipment and staff.
Sedation Information
Breathing and Relaxation Strategies
Helping toddlers and pre-schoolers with breathing and relaxation strategies
- Practice with the toddler or young child to blow bubbles or windmill.
- Pre-school/school age child may pretend to "blow candles" out on an imaginary cake.
- Ask children questions about the type of cake, theme of the cake, number of candles etc.
- Coach the child to take big belly breaths, ask the child to place their hand on their belly and breathe in slowly and out making the sound SHHH.
Comfort positioning
during tests or procedures
With a little creativity, these positions can be adapted to suit the child or procedure, isolating the body / extremity that is needed while allowing for ease and safe access. Using the concept of a " hugging hold' which is secure and comforting to child.
Pain, pain go away: helping children with pain
This booklet provides an explanation of how children experience pain, how to provide relief, and how to prevent further fear and distress. This resource comes from the RCH's Acute Pain Management Service, together with pain specialists from Canada. It is useful for both parents and health professionals wishing to learn more about children's pain.
Find out about a specific
procedure(s) with Kids Health Info fact sheets
This site is dedicated to providing quality, up-to-date health information. Our fact sheets have been developed for parents and adolescents, and cover pertinent topics about medical conditions and the services available at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Preparing for an Anaesthetic
The
Pre-Admission Resource Centre (PARC) is a family-centred service available to all surgical patients, to prepare them for elective surgery.
The Pre Admission Resource staff are available Monday - Friday during 0800 - 1630 on 9345 4193 or 9345 4115. Alternatively, if you are in the hospital PARC staff can be contactable by speaking to the staff at Reception J, 3rd floor.
Potential benefits from attending the clinic include:
- Decreased anxiety levels prior to hospital admission due to education and familiarisation with the hospital.
- Many queries which a child or caregiver may have can be addressed prior to the surgery date.
- Ensuring the child is well for the prescribed surgery - A decrease in day of surgery cancellations due to illness.
- Being informed and having an increased preparation for the hospital stay, discharge planning and recovery phase.
Anaesthetics – introduction
Anaesthetics – admission
Anaesthetics – fasting
Anaesthetics – consultation
Anaesthetics - pre-op
Anaesthetics - anaesthetic room
Anaesthetics - recovery
Funding for this program provided
by
Proudly sponsored by the staff of Woolworths