Having surgery can be an incredibly stressful and scary experience, even for the toughest of us who know exactly what to expect. But for kids who don’t understand what’s going on, being separated from their parents in a weird place full of bright lights and funny smells, it can be downright terrifying.
So anything that hospital staff can do to ease the anxiety before surgery is hugely beneficial. And what is more relaxing than cruising around the wards in a toy car?
Image credits: Doctors Medical Center
The good folk at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California, let their vulnerable little patients enter the daunting environment of the operating room in style and with a big smile on their faces. Cute mini cars designed for kids between 2 and 7 put everyone at ease, from the patient to the parents and doctors, and kids can choose between either a pink VW beetle or a black Mercedes.
Image credits: Doctors Medical Center
The cars can be operated by the kids themselves or by remote control, and have functioning headlights and taillights. They even have a radio so the kids can choose what kind of music can best put them at ease before their surgery.
Image credits: Doctors Medical Center
“When the children find out they can go into the operating room riding in a cool little car, they light up and in most cases, their fears melt away,” pre-op nurse Kimberly Martinez, who came up with the idea, told CBS News. “In addition, when parents see their children put at ease, it puts them at ease as well.”
“It can be traumatizing for a young patient to be peeled away from their parents as they head into surgery, this truly helps everyone involved.”
Image credits: Doctors Medical Center
Check out this little cutie happily making her way towards her operation, stress-free!
Here’s what people had to say about the imaginative idea
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You can do the same thing with adults...just give us remote controls for our gurneys....lol
I'll race you down the hall... Last one in the OR has to buy real food to the winner LoL
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Oh my gosh my heart just imploded from all the cuteness! What a sweet idea!
I love this. I still remember being wheeled into surgery when I was 7 yrs old, and the fear of having tall, strange men push the gurney while I looked up at them and begged them to make sure I was "operation" asleep before cutting me. Had there have been a little car to drive, I would have probably been too preoccupied with how much fun it was, rather than overthink things!
My 5y/o had surgery in Feb. There were 5 other kids scheduled for surgery that day too. Lots of toys and distraction in the pre-ops waiting room. Going into the operating room each kid rode in a toy car. It looked so cute because it looked like they were in a chooo-chooo train. They were making funny noises. Made me calm down as a parent. They all drove the motorized car into the surgery room.
My friend just donated a tiny Ferrari to a Portand area children's hospital.
Was it Randalls? They just got one, but it might be coincidence
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When I was little, I had to get surgery to get a tumour out of my stomach. I really wish I had this! All I had was my mom's phone to watch Phineas and Ferb ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Awesome news, reducing anxiety for these kids is priceless. Who would have thunk it?
Sadly, I didn't have this when I was still little to ride those cars. Maybe a remote on the gurney? XD
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭this is absolutely amazing ❤️. I cry so easily nowadays. I almost lost one of my twins as a baby he was 5.5 weeks old when a murmur was found then a constricted Aorta. Heart surgery within a week of finding murmur.. being in Boston Children's meant I came across alot.... Alot of little sick kids that I just fell apart seeing.. the pain .. the unknowing future, the immense helplessness across everyone's face the staff the parents the patient... This car ride idea is truly amazing. I hope this is going to be an option at every kids hospital. I can imagine so much coming from it. So cool
I want a gurney that has flames on each side, remote control to move the gurney at my will, and a side bed so that I can have a hot and sexy dude next to me. *POP* There goes my fantasy but hey...
This is what happened when I had an operation when I was 8. I was ridiculously excited about the whole experience, no nerves at all!!!!
I spent about a month in hospital when I was six (1985). The children's wing was amazing. I got to ride around with a giant (to a six year old) Pink Panther toy. The staff made hospital a fun experience.
I know this hospital well because family lives near there. They cared for my grandfather many times. I also have a friend who is a doctor there. I'll have to ask him about the cars.
To be honest, I don't think so. Panic responses are expensive - they cost in terms of time calming the patient, medication, and also in recovery later. One of the first things we're taught as first aiders is that shock and panic will kill just as effectively as damage. The more calm and able to communicate your patient is, the better - and the cheaper. The cars will last for ages, and they're a lot better than ten minutes of vomit-inducing terror for a kid who isn't as able to control themselves as an adult. It's easier for the surgeons to deal with a relaxed patient.
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You can do the same thing with adults...just give us remote controls for our gurneys....lol
I'll race you down the hall... Last one in the OR has to buy real food to the winner LoL
Load More Replies... Oh my gosh my heart just imploded from all the cuteness! What a sweet idea!
I love this. I still remember being wheeled into surgery when I was 7 yrs old, and the fear of having tall, strange men push the gurney while I looked up at them and begged them to make sure I was "operation" asleep before cutting me. Had there have been a little car to drive, I would have probably been too preoccupied with how much fun it was, rather than overthink things!
My 5y/o had surgery in Feb. There were 5 other kids scheduled for surgery that day too. Lots of toys and distraction in the pre-ops waiting room. Going into the operating room each kid rode in a toy car. It looked so cute because it looked like they were in a chooo-chooo train. They were making funny noises. Made me calm down as a parent. They all drove the motorized car into the surgery room.
My friend just donated a tiny Ferrari to a Portand area children's hospital.
Was it Randalls? They just got one, but it might be coincidence
Load More Replies... When I was little, I had to get surgery to get a tumour out of my stomach. I really wish I had this! All I had was my mom's phone to watch Phineas and Ferb ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Awesome news, reducing anxiety for these kids is priceless. Who would have thunk it?
Sadly, I didn't have this when I was still little to ride those cars. Maybe a remote on the gurney? XD
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭this is absolutely amazing ❤️. I cry so easily nowadays. I almost lost one of my twins as a baby he was 5.5 weeks old when a murmur was found then a constricted Aorta. Heart surgery within a week of finding murmur.. being in Boston Children's meant I came across alot.... Alot of little sick kids that I just fell apart seeing.. the pain .. the unknowing future, the immense helplessness across everyone's face the staff the parents the patient... This car ride idea is truly amazing. I hope this is going to be an option at every kids hospital. I can imagine so much coming from it. So cool
I want a gurney that has flames on each side, remote control to move the gurney at my will, and a side bed so that I can have a hot and sexy dude next to me. *POP* There goes my fantasy but hey...
This is what happened when I had an operation when I was 8. I was ridiculously excited about the whole experience, no nerves at all!!!!
I spent about a month in hospital when I was six (1985). The children's wing was amazing. I got to ride around with a giant (to a six year old) Pink Panther toy. The staff made hospital a fun experience.
I know this hospital well because family lives near there. They cared for my grandfather many times. I also have a friend who is a doctor there. I'll have to ask him about the cars.
To be honest, I don't think so. Panic responses are expensive - they cost in terms of time calming the patient, medication, and also in recovery later. One of the first things we're taught as first aiders is that shock and panic will kill just as effectively as damage. The more calm and able to communicate your patient is, the better - and the cheaper. The cars will last for ages, and they're a lot better than ten minutes of vomit-inducing terror for a kid who isn't as able to control themselves as an adult. It's easier for the surgeons to deal with a relaxed patient.
Load More Replies...
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