Children's Surgery Guide
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Parents, Make Your Child's Surgery a Success
Surgery, whether planned or unexpected, can be a hard time for children and families. Fear of the unknown is common, but being open and honest with your child can make the experience much easier. The Children's Surgery Guide will educate you and your family about what to expect. This guide will also help you talk with your child about their surgery. Preparing your child for surgery can build trust in the hospital, doctors and nurses. Studies show that children who are more anxious before surgery are more likely to have a difficult recovery. The following steps will help you prepare your child for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
To order a Children's Surgery Guide DVD, please contact:
MeritCare Children's Hospital
801 Broadway North
Fargo, ND 58122
(701) 234-6989
How to Talk with Your Child About Surgery
Along with watching the Children's Surgery Guide, we encourage you to take the time to talk with your child about surgery. Below are some tips to help.
- Talk openly and honestly about what will happen and how they will feel throughout surgery. For example, say, "You might feel a little pinch when the nurse inserts your IV, but it will help you stay healthy."
- Let them know that you feel the hospital visit, procedure or test is the best thing to do and that they did nothing wrong to "deserve it," and it is not a punishment.
- Use a calm and relaxed tone of voice.
- Explain that it is okay to feel curious, worried, angry or frustrated about going to the hospital. Help them to express their feelings through talking, playing or drawing.
- Use neutral language they will understand. Instead of saying "poking" or "sticking" with a needle, say, "The doctor will slide a skinny tube into you so that you can get medicine." Instead of saying that the doctor will "cut" them open, say, "The doctor will make a small opening."
- Talk about the positive aspects of surgery and the hospital visit. Let them know how much better they will feel after the surgery is done.
- Keep reminding them that you will be there before and after the surgery to comfort them.
- Explain who will be doing the surgery. Also, explain what parts of the body will and will not be operated on.
- Pack some familiar things to take to the hospital: books, toys, clothes or a special blanket.
- Read books with your child about the hospital or about having surgery.
- Use the health library and other resources at children.meritcare.com.
Hospital Tour
In addition to the Children's Surgery Guide, MeritCare offers a tour that can be individualized for your child's surgery. This tour helps children understand MeritCare Children's Hospital and MeritCare South University Surgical Services. It will also help them learn about the equipment and how it will be used on their bodies.
Tour Introduction
Child Life Specialists are specially trained to help children deal with their feelings and fears while undergoing treatments or during hospitalization. They will visit with your child and give them a chance to talk about worries or questions that come up. Throughout the tour, children and parents are welcome to ask questions.
Hands-on Learning Time
Children have an opportunity to "examine" their own Alfunz stuffed animal with real equipment (blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, otoscope, etc.). This activity helps children to develop accurate perceptions of what surgery is like.
Tour MeritCare Children's Hospital or MeritCare South University Surgical Services
A tour helps children and parents become familiar with their surroundings. You will see where your child will have surgery and where you will wait during the procedure.
Registration
There is not a fee for this tour. If your child will be staying in the Children's Hospital, please call (701) 234-6989 to arrange for a daytime or evening tour. Tours are done on an individual basis. If your child will have surgery at MeritCare South University Surgical Services, please call (701) 234-5570 or (877) 234-4240 to arrange for a tour.
©2009 MeritCare Health System, P.O. Box MC, Fargo, ND 58122