Previously, our pediatric patients would go to the outpatient lab for scheduled lab draws. Martha met this particular patient to do a routine lab draw in the outpatient lab, and she realized how inefficient this process was. Martha asked the patient to come back the next day, and she worked with Peds Sedation to completely revamp the process.
Now, this patient goes to Peds Sedation every time she needs a lab draw; our team schedules the date and time, and we meet her there to provide this service. Martha worked very hard to make all of the phone calls, and she spoke with many people to get the original process changed. We are continuing to work to make sure that every pediatric patient gets this same service when they come to Wesley, and this has made a huge difference for our patients. Martha is a patient advocate, and she recognized an opportunity to improve our process and helped to implement it.
*****
Our experience, using the special procedure services team on the Peds Sedation floor, for my daughter's blood draw was very positive. Upon arrival we were greeted by a prepared and assembled team, ready to begin with my daughter's special needs in mind. I appreciated having a child life specialist present, as well as plenty of qualified help to make sure this appointment went smooth for the whole team involved. My daughter had little time to get uneasy about the situation and for the first time ever she didn't cry; she happily interacted with the child life specialist and nurses. I was almost brought to tears when they achieved a successful stick and draw on the first try. My daughter experienced considerably less anxiety and pain than she had in the past at the outpatient lab.
I am incredibly thankful to Martha, the special services team, and the nurses on the Peds Sedation floor for creating this new system, for pediatric patients and their families. We left with our next visit already scheduled and a happy toddler, which is a great comfort to me.