New Pediatric Infusion Center, Ideas?

[Farmwife]

I hope everyone in having a good spring.

Today I was asked for input about a new infusion center.
Right now the adults and kids share the space but
there are pediatric nurses that deal with just the kids.
They are the best and always accommodating the children.

Sadly the new center will be the same BUT........................
They want more defined areas for the kids.
They don't have tons and tons of money but want to make it special.


Can you tell me why your kids love their infusion place?
Please tell anything they do to make the kids feel special.
Also what themes/colors do they use?

Thanks for the input.
The ideas will be presented to the board in the next few months.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Its been a while since D used a centre but the things I remember she liked were: snacks, they always had plenty and a variety, A TV for things to watch when you just didn't have energy to play on your tablet/computer & had new movies, magazines to read that were for kids, & comfortable blankets.
Hope that helps.

 

[crohnsinct]

Nothing special at o's "center". It is just a room with three easy chairs and a tv. Pretty bare. It is the nurses that make it special.

Problem with decorating is. You decorate for little ones and the older kids feel ridiculous. So I would just go with nice cheery colors. Have some toys for the young ones. A buzzy. Videos. Older kids need videos also. We also have a book exchange rack. Oh and a magazine rack for adults.

My biggest suggestion would be SATURDAY hours!!!!! It is hard to pull kids out of school so much. Especially in middle and high school. Also, our center "tries". To group like age appointments between the two rooms (3 chairs in each room). Doesn't always work though so o gets to watch Dora a lot. She just sticks her buds in her ears. Oh yeah and nice if they can put rheumy patients together and ibd together and those with both can go whenever.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I found a link where you can do an online tour of the providence one. Couldn't find one on Johns Hopkins though. But, hopefully this might help some.

http://washington.providence.org/ho...ens-hospital/services/oncology-and-hematology

 

[DanceMom]

Our infusion center is part of the hospital, so shares the same bright cheery colors (think Spring!). Each patient is given their own room and we appreciate the privacy. Most rooms have a bed, the smaller ones only have a recliner. A always feels shafted if she doesn't get a bed - not that she sleeps one wink! All rooms have a TV that's positioned entirely too high. They change the available movies monthly so that's nice. We love getting a room with a window because the rooftop garden is right outside. It would be awesome if we had access to that garden!

 

[my little penguin]

Same here infusion center is part of the hospital so bright cheery colors
Nurse station in the middle
Lots of patient bays
Curtain for each bay
But each has the sleeper recliners for the kiddo
Personal TV that adjust up and down /in/out on a arm -for each chair
Rocker and regular chairs
Warm blanket station plus extra pillows
Seperate area for kids afraid of needles so they can cry /scream save face of they are older
Buzzy of course
Ability to order food

 

[my little penguin]

They also have a toy cart for when you leave to pick a new toy
DS was too old to want that

 

[Clash]

Ours is at the GI office. So although the main waiting room for the GI office looks like a kiddie jungle theme the IV lab and waiting room is actually just subdued colors. Large waiting room for the parents, two big flat screens, DVDs and DVD movies(kids could also bring a movie) Wii, Xbox, charging ports for laptops and phones and snacks and drinks.

 

[DanceMom]

It is very interesting to hear what other infusion centers are like. We are considering transferring A's immuno care to a different children's hospital but she doesn't want to switch infusion centers.

 

[Maya142]

Ours has reclining chairs too and personal TVs for the kids - but no dvd players. Bright and colorful, they have snacks, lots of blankets and extra pillows. Heating pads if the kids are in pain which I really liked. Curtains for privacy but they can be pulled back if kids want to talk. The nurses are really wonderful too - very good with even the littlest kids.

 

[Clash]

Ah yes I forgot warm blankets!! C loves those. And ooh the heating pads are an awesome idea, I hadn't though of that!

 

[Mehita]

Ours is attached to the Children's Hospital but in a different building, so the color scheme carries through, though it's not nearly as "fun" as the new hospital.

Half the rooms are private, the others are group rooms with four recliners. We are not fond of the group rooms. While there are curtains and individual TV's, it's very loud. Our last two sessions have been scheduled with a particular little boy who cranks up his TV and we can still hear it through our sound deadening headphones. A bit annoying. Did I mention he only speaks Spanish, so he doesn't even understand what they're saying on TV anyway? Sorry, but it just grinds on my nerves, especially when I know DS wants to sleep.

My biggest complaint is that in the group rooms, while the kids get recliners, parents only get a wooden folding chair. I know it's not supposed to be about me, but I'm also sitting there for four hours too... in a wooden chair.

There is a snack bar and a large toy closet for the little kids. Most rooms are pretty sparse otherwise. There are DVD players and Xbox upon request. Free wifi, of course.

I think for many private rooms are best, or at least divide the group rooms by age groups and decorate appropriately.

 

[SupportiveMom]

I just saw a video for kids chemo infusion area and they had volunteer storytellers (some even dressed in costume) for the littler ones. I thought that was pretty cool to do for kids no matter what type of infusion, chemo, Remicade, entyvio, whatever!

 

[izzi'smom]

There was often a wait for the air hockey table at ours. A few private rooms (she chose to use one on her first visit, but after that was comfortable in the common room-except the day she had a fever and was confined).
Videos available for viewing in rooms, WiFi, and plenty of games/toys/puzzles. A large selection of legislation (including medical ones )

 

[Worried mama]

Ours has all private rooms with a small bed for the patient and a rocking chair for the parent, although I wish I could fit in the bed too and take a nap!! Other than that, nothing special. The nurses are nice and will get whatever you ask for. My son loves the hospital socks, so he asked for a pair last time and they brought him a few pairs in diff colors. One time the nurses brought some chocolate covered pretzels to us. We bring our own DVD player for movies, I haven't seen that they have anything like movies, games, etc.