Quality of Care Report - Ballarat Health Services

HELLO, the Hospitalhas New Doctors andNurses for a DayBHS recognises the importance ofhelping patients and families feelcomfortable being in hospital. Formalpreparation programs promotingpositive coping strategies for childrenare crucial to the provision of paediatricservices at BHS. The implementation ofthis program has led to improvedinformation sent to families withappointments and greatercommunication with generalpractitioners.Having a child treated at hospital canbe a harrowing time for the child andfamily. The Kindergarten Tour Programcalled Hello Hospital is designed to helpchildren familiarise with the hospitalsetting and medical procedures theymay encounter as a patient.Dressing up as doctors and nurses andtaking an X-ray of a favorite teddy bearis all part of the experience whileparticipating in the BHS Base Hospitaleducation program for kindergartenchildren.The Peadiatric and Adolescent Unitpiloted the program in 2006 as part ofthe organisation’s commitment toproviding a high quality and bestpractice service to the Ballarat anddistrict community.Amy Jones, Project Coordinator, said“Hello Hospital focused on providing apositive, visual and interactive tour ofthe hospital”.“It incorporates interactive activity andallows the children to experience thesights, sounds and smells of thehospital,” Ms Jones said.More than 700 children fromthroughout Ballarat and districtkindergartens will take part in theprogram which aims to:• Provide a positive educationalexperience for pre-school agedchildren;• Minimise anxiety and stressexperienced by children throughfamiliarisation of the hospital settingand medical equipment used;• Enhance understanding of medicalexperiences for children;• Prepare children for admission tohospital and medical procedures; aswell as• Foster a positive communitypartnership with other serviceproviders.The program includes visits to manykindergartens where the children havethe chance to learn about their bodyby looking at special dolls, and aregiven the chance to dress up and playwith some of the equipment, Thesecond part of the program includesvisits to the hospital and the childrenhave the opportunity to see theEmergency and RadiologyDepartments.Ballarat Health Services Quality of Care Report 2007-08 12