Christina "Nickie" A Davis
October 2023
Christina "Nickie" A
Davis
,
RN
PICU
East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Knoxville
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

Nickie realized that the Child Life Specialist would be a meaningful intervention for this child for his comfort and ease on transport.
Nickie was planning to transport a patient who had been in our care for most of his life to a long-term care facility. As she meticulously preplanned logistical and clinical needs, she also noted that a Child Life Specialist had been a staple in this child’s life. She (the specialist) knew him best and spent time with him when his family could not. Nickie noted this unique circumstance and the fact that his family would not be able to be with him on transport. Nickie realized that the Child Life Specialist would be a meaningful intervention for this child for his comfort and ease on transport. She brought the idea to PICU leadership and Child Life leadership, who all agreed. On transport, the child woke up and enjoyed playful time with the team and the Child Life Specialist lessening his stress in an unfamiliar environment and allowing a meaningful handoff to a long-term care facility team about patient likes and dislikes and favorite things. This was a fantastic example of combining clinical expertise and quality-of-life interventions to love on and ensure quality of life when he finally left our care.