The heart beads program

Kate Alexa Dengler1, Gabbie Scarfe, Sarah Redshaw

  • 1Edgar Stephen Ward, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia. kated2@chw.edu.au

Insights

The Heart Beads Program uses unique beads to acknowledge children's cardiac condition journeys and procedures. This person-centered care approach aims to reduce stress and anxiety for pediatric patients during their hospital stays.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Child Psychology
  • Healthcare Program Development

Background:

  • Children with cardiac conditions face prolonged hospital stays and numerous procedures.
  • These experiences can cause significant stress and anxiety due to limited understanding and control.
  • A dedicated children's heart center aims to provide a consistent care experience.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the implementation of the Heart Beads Program.
  • To enrich the hospital experience for children with cardiac conditions.
  • To recognize and validate children's endurance through procedural milestones.

Main Methods:

  • Development of the Heart Beads Program within a person-centered care framework.
  • Distribution of distinctive beads for each procedure, treatment, or event.
  • Collection of preliminary responses from staff, children, and families.

Main Results:

  • The program was initiated to provide a tangible recognition of children's medical journeys.
  • Preliminary feedback from staff, children, and families was gathered.
  • The program aims to positively impact the psychosocial well-being of pediatric cardiac patients.

Conclusions:

  • The Heart Beads Program offers a novel approach to person-centered care in pediatric cardiology.
  • It provides a method for acknowledging and validating the challenging experiences of children undergoing cardiac treatments.
  • Further evaluation is needed to assess the program's long-term impact on patient and family experiences.

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