one of a kind care - Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics

Children deserve a
children’s hospital. A
place where the staff is
educated, trained and
dedicated to not only treating
the child’s illness, but caring for
the complete range of the child’s
needs as well.
That is why Children’s Mercy has
been a leader in advocating for
the psychosocial (emotional and
social) needs of children and their
families. We are one of the only
hospitals in the region to employ
certified child life specialists
– individuals with a graduate
or undergraduate degree in a
variety of disciplines related to
child development, psychology,
education, family studies, or
therapeutic recreation and
who have completed a hospital
internship. These specialists
work closely with the children and
families to provide materials and
guidance for developmentally
appropriate play, prepare children
for medical experiences, advocate
for patient and family rights,
and promote a non-threatening,
normalized environment.
With 10 unit-based play rooms
and a full menu of programs
including music therapy,
pet therapy and relaxation
child lifewith
techniques, the Child Life staff is
integrated throughout the hospital
and involved as members of the
care team. This has allowed our
Child Life specialists to have a
measurable impact on patient life
at the hospital.
Involvement with radiology
patients has helped reduce the
need for sedation by
14% for patients
undergoing
procedures
such as CT
scans. Child
Life-led pre-op
tours have
improved
patient
cooperation,
reduced fear,
and improved
satisfaction
surgery patients. And
education for parents on
comforting positions for holding
their child during procedures, play
programs for siblings, and family
resources and support have
helped create a less stressful
experience for the entire family.
You see, at Children’s Mercy,
caring for kids is what we do. It’s
all we do.
Sally Ross, Patient Activity
Assistant at Children’s Mercy
South, with a young patient.
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