 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare: Child Life Specialists Are Being Celebrated Around the Globe
03/12/2009
INDIANAPOLIS - Hospitalization can be a scary time for adults. Not knowing what to expect, and recalling hospital images - scalpels, needles and IVs - from a recent episode of your favorite hospital television drama can all make for a tense time. Now imagine how a child might feel. Once at the hospital, there's one person whose job it is to ensure a child's nervousness, anxiety and fear is put to rest and help them cope with the changes associated with their hospital visit - the child life specialist.
At Riley Hospital for Children, child life specialists are dedicated to improving the healthcare experience for both children and their families. Child life specialists are experts in child development who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities, as well as provide emotional and social support. Child life specialists also play a vital role in educating caregivers and the general public about the needs of children under stress.
Child life specialists are part of an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, school teachers and chaplaincy.
"Child life specialists are an integral part of the family-centered care we offer at Riley and are essential to the child's recovery and development process, both during and after their hospital visit," said Sheila Smith, RN, director of Child Life and NICU clinical operations. "I am pleased their dedication and hard work is being recognized across the globe for the wonderful work they perform every day."
Child Life works with children and families throughout the Riley Hospital and consists of 10 child life specialists, two music therapists, two child life assistants, four school teachers and two librarians. Together, they provide services at 280-staffed inpatient beds, the emergency room and the Riley Outpatient Center. In 2007, Riley Hospital admitted 7,825 patients, performed 4,187 inpatient surgeries and had 190,444 outpatient visits.
In celebration of International Child Life Month, Riley Hospital will host a variety of activities for patients and their families in the atrium located at 702 Barnhill Dr.:
For additional information on Riley Hospital for Children's Child Life program, please call 317.274.8723, email childliferiley@clarian.org or visit Child Life online.
CONTACT:
Margie Smith-Simmons
317.962.4085 (o)
317.312.4348 (p)
msmithsi@clarian.org
About Riley Hospital for Children As one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit Riley Hospital for Children for more information.