May 6, 2011 – UNC Hospitals, which performs over 5,000 general pediatric surgeries every year, has redesigned its pediatric surgery operating room to help make children less anxious about their visit.
Following extensive renovations, child patients undergoing surgery at UNC Hospitals will now experience a totally revamped atmosphere designed to ease their anxiety before their procedures. The walls have been repainted with colorful murals, and children are now rolled into the operating room on wagons. Upon arrival, staff trained to work with children will wait until the child is asleep to begin preparations that could stress the child.
WRAL TV recently broadcast a report about the changes to the operating room environment. The TV newscast and accompanying article are available on the WRAL web site.
-Victor Calderon, UNC Department of Surgery