Vancouver – BC Children’s Hospital, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, has launched a new virtual tour for families of children undergoing surgery at the hospital.
The tour provides parents and children with an up-close look at exactly what happens before and after surgery. Included in the tour are a look inside the surgical day care unit and operating and recovery rooms.
The tour was developed in consultation with families and answers the top 10 questions parents have about their child’s surgery.
“We hope by viewing the online tour families will be more prepared for surgery and there will be fewer surprises along the way,” says Leslie Clough, Senior Leader, Patient & Family Education and Health Literacy, BC Children’s. “The more prepared families are and the less anxiety they have, the more likely they are to have a better experience.”
The tour includes lots of practical tips, such as bringing your child’s favourite DVDs (the recovery room has DVD players), books, toys, or blanket.
“Bring items that are small and transportable to help distract and calm your child. But the most important thing is for a parent to be calm, as this helps reassure their child that everything is okay,” adds Clough.
Clough hopes that parents will view the tour first and then watch it with their child.
“We have photos of: how the surgeons are dressed, what mom or dad may be wearing, the waiting room, the operating room and the recovery room. We want children to know what happens each step of the way and what people they may meet, so they’re not scared.”
To access the tour, please visit www.bcchildrens.ca/surgerytour.
