Here are more resources and books pdf on how to prepare children of all ages for surgery or a hospital stay. Good preparation can help your child feel less anxious about getting surgery. Ageappropriate information about surgery your visit childrens. To prepare your child for surgery, you must first prepare yourself as a parent. A mott child life specialist shares several books that can help. The specialists often have picture books and dolls to help show your child what to expect to see when heshe wakes up from surgery. For example, dont tell your child that you will accompany them to the operating room if you are. Be knowledgeable about your child s diagnosis and surgery. How to prepare your toddler for surgery like a boss. Preparing for your childs surgery take a tour if your child will be having surgery at the ambulatory surgery center, we recommend an informal preoperative visit in which we introduce the facility and the treatment team in a nonthreatening manner. Have your child plan their visit by filling out the surgery day plan in the what to. You may have concerns about how your child will cope with this experience.
If your child is scheduled to have surgery at childrens hospital of philadelphia or one of our surgery centers, these surgery prep books can. The child life, education and creative arts therapy department staff is available to help answer any questions you may have about helping your child prepare for hospitalization or surgery. Read books with your child about going to the hospital. Experts agree that coloring books are a gentle and effective way to prepare a child for surgery. It allows children to become familiar with what to expect the day of surgery, while providing an opportunity for them to express their related thoughts and feelings. Preparing your child for surgery rady childrens hospital. Provide reassurance that you will stay in the hospital as much as you can. Encourage your child to help select and pack items to take to the hospital. Knowing what to expect can help you and your child feel better about surgery. Increasing communication and the involvement of parents as a part of the team at dell childrens makes the job of supporting children and families easier during times of a stressful healthcare experience. The list below has been compiled based on suggestions offered by our patients and their families. Use words for body parts that your child is familiar with. Many of the concerns your child may have when preparing for a hospital stay are similar for surgery, plus the additional concern over pain.
Hopkins childrens guide to surgery coloring book johns. A practical guide for parents nancy keene and rachel prentice, patient centered guides, 1999. This book was purchased to help prepare my 4 12yr old for outpatient surgery. There are many coloring pages and books available to help children learn about surgery in a way that is not scary or intimidating and may clear up any misunderstandings your child may have.
Preschoolers preparing for day surgery can enjoy this coloring and activity book that follows a boy and his teddy bear through the surgery experience. If your child is not ready to discuss the event, do not try to force a conversation. Preparing your child for surgery childrens hospital of. Prepare your child for surgery with free coloring books. This tour is especially designed to ease your childs fears and to enhance your ability to be supportive. Download asas coloring book to help kids understand the process in their own way. Preparing your child for surgery inova childrens hospital.
Unlike emergency surgery, an elective procedure isnt done as an immediate matter of life and death. This book is about koko the bear who wakes at night with an earache. Surgery day for me pdf here are some more tips to help your child feel safer about their upcoming visit. Tips for preparing your child at any age for a child under the age of 5. Tell your child she has not done anything wrong and is not being punished. Preparing your child for ear tube surgery by vikki lansky. But, like parents everywhere, youre probably uncertain about the best way to prepare your child. Preparing your child prisma health upstate childrens. Many of these books about surgery are available online or on ereaders. Preparing your 1 to 2yearold for surgery saint lukes. Explain the procedure to your child as accurately as possible, telling your child i dont know but i will find out if you do not know the answer to a question. Mar 31, 2015 the day of the procedure preparing your child for surgery duration. Ask your child to explain back to you what is going to happen at the hospital. Find books, appropriate to your childs level of understanding, about what to.
School age children often worry about how the surgery will change the way they look. How to prepare your toddler for surgery like a boss despite all of this mental anguish, if you put some effort in, there are some ways that you can make surgery a better experience for your young child. Preparing your child for surgery preparing yourself. Become as knowledgeable as possible about the planned surgery. Jan 25, 2018 talking to your child about a hospital visit or a serious illness can be hard. This book helps parents understand and organize the necessary medical and emotional components that accompany their child s surgery. Talk to your child about surgery using simple words. Work and childcare coverage you may be juggling many responsibilities, including work and other children at home. Dec 17, 2014 i have put together a list of books that are suitable to read together. At the preoperative office visit, ask your childs surgeon about the length of the surgical procedure, expected time in the operating room, pain control, wound care, and recovery time. Our child enjoyed the book and was less scared because the book made clear what to expect. Ageappropriate information for your childs surgery.
Helped our child prepare for surgery really effectively. We talked about the pictures both photos and pictures drawn by the 9yr old in the book, and what was going to happen at the hospitaleach step. It can be hard to know what to say and how to prepare your child for surgery. Books that address these sensitive health topics, read together as a family, might prompt shared conversation and comfort especially when an adult is unsure how to start. When preparing your child for surgery, it is important to provide age appropriate information to alleviate misconceptions and minimize fears or possible feelings of guilt. Preparing siblings for a brother or sisters surgery. Preparing your child for heart surgery the patient guide to. Preparing for surgery childrens hospital of michigan.
In an easy to follow timeline for events prior to and following a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, the author provides reassuring and accurate guidance that eases the process for the patient and family. Preparing your child for surgery dell childrens medical. You can help your child have the best experience at chad by preparing in advance for his or her procedure. This book is designed to help you and your child know what to expect on the day of surgery. Your childs surgery or procedure preparing your child. Discuss each idea and encourage your childs questions. Favorite dollsstuffed animals, books, music, games and toys often make children feel more comfortable.
A child life specialist can explain what will happen, and why, in terms your child will understand. Find books, appropriate to your childs level of understanding, about what to expect at the hospital. Your preschooler will be hungry on the day of surgery because they are not able to eat anything before surgery. Millions of children have surgery every year, but that may be little comfort to you if your child is one of them. For a list of recommended books about illness, medical visits, and other. Having an elective procedure gives you the time to prepare your child for the hospital and the surgery. Its normal to feel anxious, but preparing yourself and your child will help ensure that your child is safe and healthy and your nerves are under control. Choices can increase your child s sense of control, so offer them when appropriate and possible. There are several things you can do beforehand to prepare for your child s surgery.
Preparing yourself your child needs elective surgery and a date has been scheduled. Here are some suggestions for language to use with your child. Give as many choices as possible to increase your childs sense of control. The book is about a tonsillectomy and our child had a different surgery, but we were able to adapt the story easily. Play hospital with your child, perhaps using a toy medical kit.
The specialists are also a supportive presence during the hospitalization to help your child cope with any painful or anxietyprovoking procedures, such as iv placement, chest tube removal, etc. Here are some tips to help your child feel safer about their upcoming stay. Patients and families preparing your child clinic visit. Preparing your child for surgery ucsf pediatric surgery. A list of books can be found at the end of the booklet preparing your child for surgery read in english read in spanish your pediatric surgical team our entire team is devoted to helping your child and family move through the surgical experience as easily and effectively as possible. It is also important to help your child understand the reasons for their necessary surgery and familiarize them with the surgery process. The tour helps you and your child become more comfortable with the upcoming surgical experience. Let your child pack his or her own suitcase and pick things to bring from home. In an effort to reassure your child, you may be tempted to say things that arent true, but its important. Knowing what to expect the day of your child s surgery can help everyone in the family deal with any anxiety theyre feeling. Age appropriate information about surgery preparing for.
Preparing your child for surgery both emotionally and physically is an important part of helping your child have a positive experience. As a pediatric nurse, i realize that picture books are a great resource for preparing kids for procedures. You can help your child cope with the stress of his upcoming surgery by. Preparing your child for surgery for parents nemours. Encourage your child to talk about feelings and worries to you and hospital staff. The month prior to your childs surgery, please consider the following. Good preparation can help kids feel less anxious about the anesthesia and surgery and get through the recovery period faster. Preparing your child for surgery and anesthesia verywell health. Knowing what to expect the day of your childs surgery can help everyone in the family deal with any anxiety theyre feeling. For example, after your knee has healed, you will be able to play soccer again. It also describes ways parents can emotionally prepare a child for. Preparing for your childs surgery stony brook childrens. Read this sheet to find out how you can help prepare your child for surgery.
Preparing for your childs surgery can be stressful for you. Giving your child accurate information when preparing him for surgery is essential to their being calm before and after surgery. For example, after your arm has healed, you will be able to play baseball again. Reading together and discussing the surgery will make the hospital seem less threatening. Preparing your child for surgery or hospitalization. Preparing your child for surgery our mission is to provide the highest quality of healthcare to your child.
Preparing your child for surgery the prospect of hospitalization and a medical procedure can bring about feelings of anxiety among children and teens. Preparing your child for surgery childrens hospital of philadelphia. School age children 6 to 12 years begin preparing your school age child for surgery or hospitalization 1 to 2 weeks ahead of time. Guide to your childs surgery childrens hospital of. The american association of nurse anesthetists coloring books titled, sweet dreams at the hospital, will help to. Preparing your child for surgery brenner childrens hospital. Start preparing for a hospital staysurgery one to two weeks before your childs visit.
Prepare your children for surgery by following this anesthesia checklist. Preparing children in advance of the surgery and hospital experience will reduce stress and promote an environment of trust between the child and hospital staff. Encourage your child s friends to visit the hospital, to call or to send cards and emails. Preparing your child for surgery connecticut childrens. Hopkins childrens guide to surgery coloring book this coloring book was created to help you prepare your child for the experience of coming to johns hopkins childrens center for surgery. Free surgery coloring books give the child a combination workbook and coloring book from hopkins children s.
Your child needs elective surgery and a date has been scheduled. Read books about the hospital or surgery with your whole family. Your child needs surgery and a date has been scheduled. Preparing your child for surgery for parents nemours kidshealth. Learn how to prepare your child for surgery at childrens hospital of philadelphia, including helpful books and information about preop hospital tours. At the preoperative office visit, ask your child s surgeon about the length of the surgical procedure, expected time in the operating room, pain control, wound care, and recovery time. Consider bringing their typical activities with them to the hospital, such as reading a book before nap time or brushing their teeth before bed.
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