Operation Safe At Trinitas

Surgery is an extremely stressful and frightening experience for a child. Imagine going to a place where you've never been before and being surrounded by people wearing clothes that look like pajamas and speaking a strange language. Now imagine doing that as a small, frightened child. The compassionate and caring staff at Trinitas Regional Medical Center understands the fear and anxiety children and their families may experience when a child needs to have an operation. Our goal is to keep your child SAFE by providing a Supportive And Friendly Environment. Fear can be relieved by getting to know people and places before the actual day of a child's operation. Our Operation:SAFE program includes the availability of:

Pre-Op Tours of the Hospital

This individualized walking tour introduces you and your child to some of the places and staff that you'll see on the day of surgery. Your child will get to play with some of the equipment he/she will see before the operation and can even take some home.

Parents in the Operating Room

We strongly encourage parents to stay with their child in the operating room holding area. This is the place where your child will wait just before going into surgery. Here, he/she will meet with doctors and nurses who will be with him/her during the surgery. If you have had a Pre-op Tour and you and our staff agree that your presence will be a support to your child, you may be able to go right into the Operating Room with your child until he/she is asleep. If this idea frightens you or you are uncomfortable in hospitals, we don't encourage you to do this as your child will sense your fear and become more nervous. Whether or not you accompany your child into the Operating Room, you can still play a very active role in the preparation process. The staff at Trinitas Regional Medical Center is committed to providing the highest quality care to you and your family. Our highly expert staff works to meet the health care needs of our community's youngest patients through the creation of our SAFE program which combines advanced skill and technology with a caring and compassionate approach.

Tips for Your Child's Surgery

Parents can take an active role in helping their child through the surgery experience. A parent can start to create a SAFE feeling at home by following these tips:

• Make the child feel more secure and calm by talking about the hospital and the operation
• Provide comfort and support by talking, singing or touching the child whenever they start to be scared about going to the hospital
• Attend the Pre-Op Tour and encourage your child to ask questions
• Bring your child's favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy to the hospital on the day of the operation
• Encourage your child to speak up if something hurts or they are scared
• Ask about things you don't understand and encourage your child to do the same
• When it's all over and your child goes home, encourage your child to make a book or story about the hospital stay and operation

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call our Child Life Department at (908) 994-5357.