Tag Archives: Pediatric Surgery
New Video Helps Calm Kids’ Pre-Surgery Jitters – By Cheryl Tveit, R.N.
Finding the right words to explain an upcoming surgery to your child can be difficult. Surgery can be a stressful time for both children and parents. In fact, it is estimated that between 50 and 75 percent of children undergoing surgery develop significant stress and anxiety in the days leading up to surgery.
Fortunately, many studies have shown that adequately preparing your child before surgery can help decrease their stress and anxiety. According to one recent study, children who underwent preparation for their surgery, including tours and information provided in a developmentally appropriate format, were less likely to have anxiety before surgery and were more likely to report a positive surgery experience.
To help you and your child prepare for an upcoming surgery, we’ve created a child-friendly “Planning for your Surgery” video. This video will walk you and your child through the steps that will occur when you come in for your surgery. It stars an actual Gillette patient and current Gillette staff members in their day-to-day roles. You can view the video here: Preparing for Surgery at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
If you have questions about your upcoming surgery, contact our Pre-Op department at 651-229-3918 or 1-800-719-4040. If you would like to schedule a pre-surgery tour of our hospital with a Child Life Specialist, please call 651-229-3855.
References
Kain, Z.V., Mayes, L.C., Caldwell-Andrews, A.A., Karas, D.E. & McClain, B.C. (2006). Preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and behavioral recovery in young children undergoing surgery. Pediatrics, 118(2), 651-658.
Perry, J.N., Hooper, V.D. & Masiongale, J.(2012). Reducation of preoperative anxiety in pediatric surgery patients using age-appropriate teaching interventions. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 27(2), 69-81.
About the Author
Cheryl Tveit, RN, MSN, CAPA, is a PeriAnesthesia nurse at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.
A Sneak Peek Inside Gillette’s Surgery Suite
Last week, we introduced you to Gillette’s spacious new surgical suite in St. Paul. And this week, we couldn’t resist sharing a sneak-peek inside the beautiful new facility. We are pleased to report that our new facility is already up-and-running for our physicians, nurses, and patient families.
Here is the pre-anesthesia area, where clinical staff prepare patients for their surgeries. The soothing, nature-themed imagery provides a calming environment for families.
A ceiling of sky and clouds greets patients as they make their way from pre-anesthesia to our operating rooms.
The corridor leading to our operating room mimics the nature theme seen earlier in the pre-anesthesia area.
And finally, one of our seven new state-of-the-art operating rooms. The rooms are spacious enough to accommodate the complex procedures – often involving more than one surgeon – that children with disabilities often need.
Thanks again to the Gillette staff, supporters, and families who helped us welcome the new space last week.
Introducing Gillette’s New Surgical Suite!
Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for everyone here at Gillette: the completion of our expanded surgical suite in our St. Paul hospital. Physicians, nurses, and other surgical staff will begin using the space as early as next week! Employees, supporters, and patient families received a guided tour of the state-of-the-art facility, which includes seven operating rooms, a surgical observation area for training residents and fellows, and spacious areas for both pre- and post-anesthesia care.
We were honored that several current and former members of the Minnesota State Legislature were able to attend our open house and tour. We’re especially grateful to members of our Legislature — without the $10 million that Gillette was granted in the state’s bonding bill last year, this much-needed facility wouldn’t exist.
Why was it so crucial that we expand our surgical space? Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen steady increases in demand for surgical services. In fact, the number of surgeries we perform each year has more than doubled since 1999. Advances in technology, and the growth of multi-team, multi-intervention surgeries, have made additional space not just a want, but a true need. With the opening of our new space, we’re equipped to provide growing volumes of kids the best possible surgical care for years to come.
Former State Senator Roger Moe and State Representative Lyndon Carlson toured a pre-anesthesia patient room.
State Representative Lyndon Carlson and State Senator Keith Langseth discuss features of the new space with Gillette staff members.
