Use of a preoperative playroom to prepare children for surgery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Child Psychology
• Healthcare Environment Design

Background:

• Preoperative anxiety is a common concern in pediatric patients undergoing surgery.
• Anxiety can negatively impact a child's experience and recovery.
• Effective interventions are needed to mitigate preoperative stress in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a playroom adjacent to the operating room in reducing preoperative anxiety among children.
• To compare anxiety levels in children exposed to a playroom versus standard preoperative waiting areas.

Main Methods:

• A playroom equipped with age-appropriate toys and entertainment was established.
• Children were randomized into a case group (playroom) or a control group (standard waiting room).
• Anxiety levels were measured using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS).

Main Results:

• Two hundred children (100 per group) were evaluated.
• No significant age or gender differences were observed between groups.
• The case group, utilizing the playroom, showed a significant decrease in preoperative anxiety scores across all categories.

Conclusions:

• A preoperative playroom is a highly effective strategy for reducing anxiety in pediatric surgical patients.
• Implementing such playrooms can enhance the overall perioperative experience for children.
• This intervention provides a low-cost, high-impact solution for managing pediatric preoperative stress.