Medical play specialists saved the day for our daughter
Blood tests and needles had been extremely difficult for our 4-year-old
We had a breakthrough this week with our 4-year-old daughter, Eva, who has progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). I think we’ve finally found the winning formula for tear-free blood tests!
I’ve written about the many ways we’ve tried to help our daughter overcome her fear of blood tests and the needles that come with them, a necessary part of managing PFIC.
After a particularly traumatic experience during which Eva pulled a cannula out of her hand, our local hospital’s health play team got involved with Eva’s care. Although it’s a small hospital, we’re lucky that three dedicated play specialists work there. They engage with the children during hospitalizations or tests to make their experience more fun and less traumatic.
Eva was recently admitted to the hospital for ear, nose, and throat surgery. Before her operation, she needed to have a set of blood tests to ensure that her liver was functioning well enough for surgery. We decided to meet the play team before the test so that Eva could get to know them. The play room full of toys quickly won her over, but we still had to gear up for a blood test.
Welcome distractions and a certificate of bravery
Using numbing cream had frightened her, so this time, we opted for a fast-acting numbing spray. Because it’s cold, the play team associated it with the Disney animated film “Frozen.” In no time, they had us all singing the movie’s hit song “Let It Go.”
Eva Bourton, 4, shows off a certificate of bravery she received at her local hospital after a series of blood tests. (Photo by Sophie Bourton)
During earlier blood tests, Eva was spooked by the needle going inside her hand. This time a play specialist held her favorite “Where’s Wally” book in front of her hand, which was a perfect distraction. The test was over before Eva realized it’d begun. It was calming for her to have someone there solely focused on playing with her. Before, we were often asked to hold her down to ensure that she didn’t move, which makes playing difficult.
After the test, the play team lets Eva feed the fish and pond snail that live in the ward. Sprinkling the food and watching them gobble it up cheered up Eva. She was delighted to get a certificate of bravery and took it straight to the nursery to show her friends.
Eva has formed a close bond with two members of the play team — so much so that when she came around from general anesthesia, she called out for one of them instead of us. The play team member had promised Eva a sticker that smelled like doughnuts, and she hadn’t forgetten about that!
It was interesting to see the play specialists interact with other children on the ward, too, including some as old as 16. They were making intricately braided friendship bracelets, another welcome distraction.
Eva’s liver specialist works from Birmingham Children’s Hospital here in the U.K., which proportionally has a much smaller team of play specialists than many other large hospitals or our smaller, local one. We’re hoping that any future tests involving needles can be done at our hospital close to home, where Eva now knows and trusts the play staff.
We hope we’ve found the solution to what has been a traumatic part of managing Eva’s liver condition. Fingers crossed for our brave girl.
My advice for parents is to ask if your child’s hospital has a dedicated play team. They might have one that you never knew about!
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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