in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 29 ,2 01 8 | 32 Surgery can be daunting for anyone but for children and their parents it can be an anxious time with many questions. Learning how to prepare yourself and your child for surgery is something we can help with. Martha McLeod, Child Life Specialist at Halton Healthcare works to reduce the anxiety children can feel in the hospital setting by providing opportunities for play and distraction as well as offering developmentally appropriate preparation for medical experiences, including surgery. The role of Child Life Specialist was introduced at our hospitals in 2016, to support our paediatric patients and their families, and to work with healthcare teams to provide our young patients with the most positive hospital experience possible. "The more children understand what to expect, the more comfortable and relaxed they will be about their surgery. It is important to talk about the surgery openly and honestly, address any fears and answer all their questions - in simple terms that children can comprehend," explains Martha. "We recently developed a paediatric surgical video at Halton Healthcare, shot from a child's perspective, as a visual tool to help prepare both the child and their parents." If your child has an upcoming surgery or procedure, take a few minutes and watch our 'Coming to the Hospital for Surgery: A Video for Kids' on our YouTube channel. The short video follows 10 year old Estelle through each step of her surgery experience, showing firsthand what to expect to help relieve children's fears and anxiety. You can also check out our website for some other helpful tips on how to prepare children for surgery: visit www.haltonhealthcare.com and click on 'Services' and select 'Paediatrics'. haltonhealthcare.comYour Hospital OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR MEMORIAL HOSPITALNOVEMBER 2018 Preparing Your Child for Surgery 2018 Ingenious Award Over the past several years Halton Healthcare has been building for the future. This included expansions at our Georgetown and Milton Hospitals and the construction of a new hospital in Oakville. These significant infrastructure investments have allowed us to successfully transform our healthcare facilities into smart hospitals designed to improve the patient experience. Innovative technologies built into our hospitals have greatly enhanced our ability to provide better, safer and more efficient patient care. Halton Healthcare was the recipient of the Information Technology Association of Canada's (ITAC) 2018 Ingenious Award in the category of large public organization for Smart Hospitals Enabling Exemplary Patient Experiences. Ingenious Awards celebrate the use of technology to improve the performance of large and small businesses, large and small government operations and not-for-profit organizations. Halton Healthcare was recognized for the use of technologies such as mobile phones, smart patient care equipment, and a real-time locating system to support our care teams and enhance the patient experience. We've recently launched a MUSIC & MEMORY® Program at all three of our hospitals. Visit our YouTube channel to watch a short video to see how this music program helps engage and calm patients living with Alzheimer's, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges. You can help spread the music by donating a new or gently used ipod, or iTunes gift card to the program. Please call 905-845-2571 ext. 5916 to make arrangements to drop off your donation. Music and MemoryAward for Dementia Care and Education Halton Healthcare is the recipient of a 2017-2018 Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE) Recognition Award with distinction (category of Acute Care/ Hospital) for providing staff knowledge, skills and confidence in caring for patients with dementia. The award acknowledged Halton Healthcare's commitment to Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) education, an innovative dementia care education curriculum based on a person-centred care approach. "We are very proud to receive this award and we continue to embed Gentle Persuasive Approaches into our everyday practice," said Sylvia Rodgers, Senior Vice President, Clinical Programs and Chief Nursing Executive, Halton Healthcare. "Since 2016 nearly 500 individuals have been trained in GPA which initially focused on nursing and more recently expanded to include unit clerks, diagnostic imaging staff, volunteers and housekeeping staff." This flu season protect the ones you love from getting sick. Check with your family doctor, pharmacy or walk- in clinic about getting the flu vaccine. Flu season has arrived - get your flu shot now. During the flu season, please be aware of the risk to patients in the hospital and do not visit if you are ill or feeling unwell. When you do visit, please remember to clean your hands thoroughly upon entering and exiting the hospital. For more information visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care site at www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts Get the Flu Shot