Managing MRI stress in kids
The number of children being sedated for an MRI could be reduced thanks to a pair of glasses donated to Taranaki Base Hospital.
The mirrored glasses, along with a toy car, a toy tunnel and stethoscopes, were donated to the children’s ward after Staples Rodway held a business breakfast and raised $1100 for Starlit Hope, an organisation started by Gabby Devine who died of cancer in 2015 aged 13.
Play Specialist Sharon Luque was delighted to receive the glasses, which allow children to see around them without moving.
Children need to stay completely still during an MRI but when they’re scared this can be harder and sedation is used. Luque said the donated glasses would make having an MRI less daunting and therefore the need for sedation less likely.
‘‘So what happens when a child’s lying down it mirrors so they can look at the bottom of the bed.
‘‘In an MRI you can only look up and see the round cylinder. Now they can even see their parents sitting at the end of the bed,’’ Luque said.
‘‘There are lots of children that have sedations for an MRI, so hopefully we can reduce that.
‘‘I’ve explained to some children what’s going to happen and there’s grandparents sitting there and they’ve turned round and said, ‘Oh if I only knew that I wouldn’t have been scared’.’’
Luque said play therapy involved supporting children while in the ward by showing them what would happen during a procedure through toys and helping them be calm in the environment.
As well as the glasses, a toy tunnel is used to mimic what will happen in an MRI. The children lay in the tunnel and listen to the sound of the MRI machine on a speaker to help them become familiarised with the situation.
The toys were delivered to the hospital by Gabby’s father Roland Devine, who said he was proud his daughter’s legacy was continuing.
Gabby lost her battle with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in 2015 after being diagnosed in 2012.
During her time in both Auckland’s Starship Hospital and Taranaki Base Hospital she saw how hard it could be and established Starlit Hope so she could carry out random acts of kindness for children in oncology.
‘‘It’s inspiring. A 13-year-old can make a big difference,’’ Devine said.
He was thankful businesses such as Staples Rodway helped to keep Gabby’s legacy alive through donations.
‘‘I know it’s going to provide joy to kids here.
‘‘Gabby would definitely want this sort of thing to happen. It’s been one of the best deliveries I’ve done,’’ he said.
Employees from Staples Rodway said it was amazing to be able to see the toys being used and the smile it brought to the children’s faces.
‘‘I’ve got young children so I can fully relate,’’ Kylie Hollard said.
‘‘It’s nice to be able to see the smile on the children’s faces,’’ Emma Steer said.
‘‘It’s very rewarding,’’ Rebekah Lock said.