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Our Philosophy of Care: The Comfort Zone
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| A tree with whimsical objects hidden in its branches is painted on the walls and ceiling of a treatment room. The painting is designed to keep little patients preoccupied during procedures. | The Comfort Zone is our pledge that we will make every effort to keep a child as comfortable as possible during his or her hospital stay.
Our pledge to families
If a painful treatment is necessary, every effort will be made to keep your child comfortable.
- We will help your child cope with discomfort by using relaxation techniques and/or pain medication.
- Whenever the need for a blood sample is not an emergency, we will offer a special numbing cream one or two hours before blood is taken.
- We may offer a pacifier dipped in sucrose, which can decrease pain for infants.
- If an intravenous (IV) line is needed, we will help your child relax, use a special numbing cream or inject a numbing medicine. IVs also may be placed after your child has been sedated for a procedure or surgery.
- When possible, we will do procedures in a special treatment room so that your child feels safe in his or her own room. In addition, the play room is a "safe place" where no procedures are done.
- We will make every effort to give medicine in a pain-free way. We will give your child medicine to swallow or through an IV.
- We will check for pain often. We will respond to reports of pain quickly.
- We will measure your child's pain based on his or her level of understanding.
We will support parents in their roles as part of our pain management team.
- We will provide you information on how to prepare and support your child before, during and after a procedure or surgery. Most of the time, you will be able to be with your child.
- We will provide you information about pain and work with you to develop a pain management plan.
- After the procedure or surgery, we will make every effort to keep your child comfortable using the pain management plan. If he or she is uncomfortable, we will change the plan until your child is comfortable.
What parents and families can do to help:
- Ask your child's doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management.
Discuss pain relief options with your child's doctor or nurse.
Work with your child's doctor or nurse to create a pain management plan.
Tell your child's doctor or nurse if your child's pain is not relieved.
Ask your child's doctor or nurse if you have any questions about your child's pain management. |
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