To help children decrease their fear of hospitalization and educate children about careers in the healthcare field.
This interactive hospital activity will provide second grade students with simulated pediatric experiences in a mock hospital environment. Listed below are the departments children will visit.
- Admissions: Children choose one ailment - a broken arm, leg or finger. Children are admitted as a "patient" and given a medical identification wristband, insurance card, and play money.
- Emergency Room: Students work up each patient taking their temperature, vital signs, height, and weight. They also perform mock EKGs.
- Lab: Students simulate taking blood and explain why a patient must have blood work done before they can begin surgery.
- X-Ray: Children observe x-rays of broken bones. They undergo a mock EKG to make sure everyone's heart is in good working order before entering surgery.
- Pre-Op: Children put on their hat, booties and gown. Children ride in a wheelchair to surgery. Students listen to their heart with a stethoscope.
- Surgery: Students perform mock surgery on the predetermined broken arm, finger, or leg. They review surgical instruments. Each patient leaves surgery with a wrapped area covered with stickers.
- Post-Op: Children recover from surgery with juice and a granola bar.
- Physical Therapy: Children use therapy equipment balls, therabands, crutches, and walkers to mend their bones.
- Waiting Room: Children pay their bill and receive their discharge papers. Children receive a medical coloring book and a goody bag containing fun souvenir items.
