All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is using iPads to teach young patients about the procedures they'll undergo. They're also using the iPads as a diversion for the kids.
Arjun Iyer, 6, visited the hospital recently after hitting his ear against a coffee table. The child life specialist told Arjun he could play games on the iPad while he was getting stitches.
“During the surgery itself, it was really nice that he didn’t have to be distracted by pain,” said the boy’s father, Anand Iyer. “He was distracted by the game and it was nice that the doctor could do his job.”
The kids get so distracted, doctors don't have to give them as much medicine.
"It uses less sedation medicine when we distract them during procedures and so doctors are really excited about that part of things,” said child life therapist Katie McGinnis.
Arjun enjoyed the game he played at the hospital so much, he asked his parents to buy it for him at home. His dad was just happy his son was comfortable.
"That definitely meant a lot both to him and to me,” Iyer said.
Child life specialists also developed apps to teach the kids about the procedures they'll undergo.
“Once they’re prepared for that they’re not as likely to be afraid of it if they know what’s going on,” said McGinnis.
They can see pictures of the operating room and ask questions about the different equipment in there.
Sellena Cruz, 14, has the chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis.
“(The iPad) helps a lot knowing what’s going to happen, what’s going on,” she said.