|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has implemented use of Australia- and Texas-based Smileyscope Holding Inc’s state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) therapeutics to soothe children during needle procedures in the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Nicklaus Children’s is among the first children’s hospitals in the nation and the first in South Florida to offer this child-friendly, immersive technology.
“Needle procedures can be very stressful for children of all ages,” said Dr. David Seo, senior vice president and chief information and digital officer for Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “The Smileyscope virtual reality tool supports our Emergency Department clinicians in providing the artful distraction that is so beneficial to children during such procedures. Families can request VR support to reduce their child’s discomfort and anxiety.”
Evelyn Chan, CEO of Smileyscope, said, “We are extremely pleased to partner with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to bring Smileyscope to South Florida. Nicklaus Children’s commitment to ensuring every child receives the best possible care and a comfortable experience is evident in their adoption of our device.”
One of the most requested VR experiences sought by children is the underwater adventure, which features waves washing over the injection site and a fish nibbling on the child’s arm during the injection. Clinical trials have shown this VR program can safely and effectively reduce pediatric needle pain by up to 60 percent and anxiety by 40 percent, allowing for a more comfortable and positive patient experience.
Giovanna Pedemonte of Miami brought her 7-year-old son, Silas, to the emergency department at Nicklaus Children’s with a high fever and an infection in his finger.
“Silas typically gets anxious whenever he enters a clinical setting and asks whether he will be getting a shot or undergoing any pain,” Pedemonte said. “I was impressed to learn that Nicklaus Children’s offered the Smileyscope technology to distract him.
“He didn’t seem to notice the draining of the wound on his finger. He likes video games, and he enjoyed the technology so much that we will request Smileyscope whenever he visits the hospital,” she added.
To learn more about Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, visit www.nicklauschildrens.org and Smileyscope, visit www.smileyscope.com.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area. Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts about the community, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered.
