Hospital visits

[Iwanthertoloveit34]

My 4 year old DS is having investigations for possible growth hormone deficiency. Our first visit to hospital was today and it went well apart from when they put the cannula in,which he promptly pulled out. It is likely that he will require more tests which will involve more cannulas. Has anyone got any tips or suggestions of ways I could prepare him for future visits ?.

Sounds like they didn't stick it down securely enough, the stuff they use when my son has a cannula won't come off. There are lots of good YouTube videos about going into hospital that I used for my daughter when she was going in for an operation which shows the cannula and explains why. It was an Nhs trust which did it. I'll try to find it.

www.bfwh.nhs.uk/video-made-to-help-children-coming-to-hospital/

Thanks flutter I will check these out. . He got himself so worked up he was very hot and sweaty so they did struggle to get it stuck down. The second one they put in stayed put I think he had exhausted himself with his upset\anger .

They can put an anaesthetic cream on to numb his hand first. I'd ask for that next time

They also can put numbing spray which is better than the cream as it works instantly whereas the cream takes longer to numb.

You could try watching get well soon hospital on cbeebies, I'm sure there was an episode about cannulas. It might make him understand more

My daughter is very difficult to cannulate. I've found every department and every hospital we visit are very receptive to me telling them about what works and what doesn't. The nurses don't want to make it hard for themselves or your child. So I'm sure if you just explain what happened, they can take steps to avoid a repeat.

With a child that can understand I would explain explain explain - what is going to happen, why it's going to happen, and say it might hurt a bit but it'll make you better etc and then reward after - chocolate buttons, fav tv programs etc.

You can make a little book with him. Use photos or draw pictures.
'This is the hospital'
'Here are the nurses and doctors'
Etc etc

I made them for DS. I pasted photos of him in hospital onto a small scrapbook with hardboard pages.
He could go over it as often as he needed to.

Children need preparation but they can also have a need to revisit the difficult things that happen to them if they have a chronic condition.

You can ask for a play worker to be present when he is cannulated.
Its fine to use bribes and rewards.
Don't lie to him. Don't say 'it wont hurt' if it will. Say it can hurt but only for a very short time and you can shout if you want.

Plenty of distractions- I pad, snacks etc and request a playworker to help out.
Some children are just very strong willed. Ds never pulled out a cannula (they bound them in so tightly with a bandage) or Hickman (hid it with popper vests) but would take out every ng tube fitted.
Did they use emla cream or spray to anaesthetise the site locally? That helps but some children hate the feeling of the spray. The cream worked better for us.

They used emla cream and left it on for 30 mins before the procedure. I had packets of Lego mini figures for distraction as he was NBM. The therapist brought out more Lego, and a portable DVD. He did eventually did calm down but he was so distressed it was hard for us all. I will follow some of the tips to prepare him for next time .