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This post was sponsored by Floating Hospital for Children as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. Thank you for supporting brands that support my blog.
Great Strength Comes in Small Packages!
Regardless of the severity, caring for a little one with a chronic or complex health condition requires patience, time, and energy. Kids may be confused, scared, or in pain during their stay in the hospital. Fortunately for families in need, Floating Hospital for Children cares, and works each and every day to make a positive difference in these childrens’ lives. The medical staff’s knowledge and experience will help ease any parent’s stress and concern.
As a parent, I’m sure many of you have experienced scary medical situations with your child. How many times do you wish your Emergency Department was more kid-friendly? I work at a local hospital and while we have a pediatric outpatient department, many of our little patients are shipped elsewhere.
What is the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center?
Floating Hospital for Children is the full-service children’s hospital of Tufts Medical Center, located in downtown Boston and with partnerships in the community. Our 94-bed children’s hospital offers pediatric inpatient and outpatient services in every medical and surgical specialty – from general pediatric services to the care of the most complex cancers, heart diseases and traumas. Our focus and mission every day is to improve the lives of children and their families, by treating each child as if they are our own.
Here are Five ways that the Floating Hospital makes a difference in little lives:
1- The Floating Hospital offers entertainment that helps our little ones have courage!
Not only does the Floating Hospital have mini-horse and pet therapy dogs, they create an entire child-friendly environment! Meet The Toughlings – a group of animals who are small but mighty, just like Floating Hospital kids. They remind patients that they’re big and strong. They can be found in the elevator banks throughout the hospital and stickers are available for patients in clinics. Their names are Buff – a badger, Elbo – an octopus, Mica – an ant, Cozi – a turtle, and Sage – an owl.
I remember visiting our pediatrician and each room was decorated with a different animal theme. Not only does this distract your little one from what’s going to happen, but it’s a great learning opportunity. We would come home from the Doctor’s office and have to find a book about the animal that was in his room!
2- Children learn to deal with stress through play.
Play is a vital component of children’s lives, and is the major way that children communicate, learn, rehearse, relax, and have fun. Through play, children gain a sense of master and control, leading to an increased ability to cope with stress, and to express their feelings. Floating Hospital pioneered the concept of integrating play into the daily routine, and it is an important part of the care Child Life provides.
Our hospital has a wonderful Child Life department. In fact, one of the brochures they use to teach children about medical procedures is one that I helped create and features my son as the “patient” in the story!
3- Floating Hospital for Children communicates the strength, courage and determination of the patients that inspire us every day.
At Floating Hospital, we know great strength comes in small packages. Every day, our patients inspire us to work harder to make their lives better. We created this video with them in mind.
Do you tend to wait for morning before taking your sick child in for medical care? Sometimes just a few hours can make a big difference!
Floating Hospital for Children’s dedicated pediatric ED is operational around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A child-centered environment with a play area waiting room and five dedicated rooms that are soothing, healing and suited for a child. It’s staffed with a pediatric emergency nurse and a pediatric technician. Child Life specialists’ (hours are 10 am–2 am) provide support to a child and his/her family.
5- The Floating Hospital has a unique approach to care that includes a seamless transition to a different department/facility if needed.
You and your child can experience their unique approach to care, conveniently close to home. I have seen many cases of children that need care that a local hospital can’t provide. Wouldn’t you feel more confident with a hospital that specializes in children?
Through Floating Hospital for Children’s network of pediatric affiliations, children with less-complex conditions can remain in the community under the expert care of our on-site pediatric hospitalists, specialized physicians who only care for children in an in-patient hospital setting. If more advanced care is required at Floating Hospital for Children, patient transfer and care management are quickly and seamlessly coordinated.
For more information, please visit the Floating Hospital for Children webpage or the Floating Hospital for Children Facebook Page.
Which Toughling is most like your child? Let us know in the comments below.