by
Kristen Fischer, DOTmed News | June 25, 2014
From the June 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
“The piece of equipment almost totally disappears in the room,” says Doug Dietz, a GE Adventure Series founder and innovation architect with GE Healthcare’s Global Design organization.
As part of the experience, the tech guides the child through a story that relates to the room’s decor. Even the surface coil, which goes on the patient’s head, is transformed into something that ties in the theme — in some cases, it may be a helmet for boys or a tiara for girls.
“It’s very human-centered design process,” Dietz says about creating the machines. “It’s a human-centered solution to a problem.”
Siemens Healthcare has also developed a few innovations to make the pediatric patient experience a little easier. Siemens’ ImageScapes mixes together imaging equipment and wall wraps, décor for exam rooms and waiting areas, tranquil sounds, and inviting aromatherapy. People can choose their preference of scents and sounds to tie into the experience. For instance, a sand castle room boasts waves crashing and seagulls chirping while a subtle aroma of coconut wafts through the room.
Dietz says that the facilities with GE’s Adventure Series equipment installed report improved patient satisfaction. It’s common to sedate some children during imaging procedures, but with the kid-tailored experience, they are often so relaxed and engaged in the adventure that they don’t need additional medication — a relief especially for parents.
“This is about the families coming through here,” Kemper says of the hospitals that use the machines. “It’s a lot less threatening than a clinical environment.”
Lower sedation and radiation, improved patient satisfaction
More awareness about trying to lower the dose of radiation has emerged with the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging’s Image Gently campaign. While not all imaging rooms are kid-friendly, having a low dose for pediatric imaging is a must. The initiative urges technicians to use the lowest radiation dose possible.
However, it’s not just the technicians helping to reduce dose. Due to advances in technology, new scanners that use less radiation are being introduced.
Siemens has introduced two CT scanners — the SOMATOM Definition Flash CT system, which is already on the market, and the SOMATOM Force, which received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month. Both can scan a child and can automatically choose the lowest dose of radiation possible based on the patient’s size. In fact, these scanners can deliver high-quality imaging while utilizing a 70 kV tube so the patient receives a very low dose.
