Vol. 29, No. 3
Acrobat PDF version of
Growing Together also available
.
Procedure designed with kids in mind
Whistles sounding, party blowers squeaking, computer
games being played. These are all common sounds in the medical imaging
department at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. But
what else would you expect in a hospital designed for kids and families?
These playful activities are just a few of the innovative distraction
techniques used by the medical imaging staff and child life specialists
to help kids who are having tests.
One test that is performed frequently in medical imaging is the VCUG, or voiding cystourethrogram. Children referred for a VCUG are often being tested for vesicoureteral reflux or simply reflux. This is a condition that results when urine flows back to the kidneys rather than out of the body and allows bacteria and germs to reach the kidneys. This can result in urinary problems, especially urinary tract infections.
The experienced and specially-trained staff in the medical imaging department perform this test frequently – an average of 35 children each week have a VCUG at Dayton Children’s.
Parents and their children may be concerned about the test, which involves the insertion of a catheter and the use of a contrast liquid to study the bladder. Because the comfort of children and their families is important at Dayton Children’s, a child life specialist is often available to talk to the child and families about the test, provide reassurance and be present during the procedure to provide distraction.
Depending on the child’s age, he or she may blow a whistle, play a computer game or look at a picture book. It also helps that VCUGs are performed in a room that is decorated to look like an aquarium, and a parent or other family member is encouraged to be with their child during the procedure.
“Children often fear the unknown, which makes them anxious,” says Cyndi Westfall, child life specialist. “To ease their anxiety, I show them a photo book we developed, which shows the room, the equipment and the people they will see when they have their VCUG.”
Ann Mangan, radiologic technologist, has been with Dayton Children’s for 22 years. “We see thousands of children every year, many of them for the VCUG. So, we are very experienced in caring for children of all ages,” she says. “We’re all here because we love kids and families. It’s what we do best.”
If your child’s doctor recommends a VCUG or other medical imaging procedure for your infant, child or teen, ask about Dayton Children’s. It’s the only hospital in the region offering care by pediatric specialists in a hospital designed with kids in mind.
Table of Contents |
1 Back to school immunizations
5 VCUG: A procedure designed for kids
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