Stefan Friedrichsdorf: Happy Child Life Month!
Stefan Friedrichsdorf, Chief of the Division of Pain, Palliative and Integrative Medicine at UCSF, shared on LinkedIn:
“Happy Child Life Month!
Child life Specialists have been the unsung heroes revolutionizing the prevention and treatment of pain and anxiety caused by painful procedures. As we celebrate Child Life Month, it’s crucial to recognize their invaluable contribution to pediatric care.
At UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, we’re proud to lead the charge with our Comfort Promise initiative, spearheaded by the incredible duo Kristen Beckler, Child Life Specialist, and Barbette Murphy, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. They’re not just my partners in crime; they’re 10/10 on the awesome scale!
What is the Comfort Promise all about? It’s our commitment to preventing pain and anxiety caused by needle procedures for every child, every time, everywhere, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Here’s how we make the Comfort Promise a reality:
1. Always offer numbing cream (e.g., over-the-counter 4% lidocaine cream)
2. Utilize comfort holds
3. Administer sucrose/breastfeeding for infants <12 months
4. Employ age-appropriate distraction techniques
5. Empower children by giving them choices and reframing the memory
Ensure that your institution has child life specialists involved in the rollout for every child, every time. Let’s continue to champion the well-being of our youngest patients together.”
View additional information about Comfort Promise.
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Source: Stefan Friedrichsdorf/LinkedIn