Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has implemented use of Australia- and Texas-based Smileyscope Holding Inc’s (Smileyscope™) state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) therapeutics to soothe children during needle procedures in the hospital’s Emergency Department. Nicklaus Children’s is among the first children’s hospitals in the nation and the first in South Florida to offer this child-friendly, immersive technology.
“Needle procedures can be very stressful for children of all ages,” said Dr. David Seo, senior vice president and chief information and digital officer for Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “The Smileyscope virtual reality tool supports our Emergency Department clinicians in providing the artful distraction that is so beneficial to children during such procedures. Families can request VR support to reduce their child’s discomfort and anxiety.”
One of the most requested VR experiences sought by children is the underwater adventure, which features waves washing over the injection site and a fish nibbling on the child’s arm during the injection. Clinical trials have shown this VR program can safely and effectively reduce pediatric needle pain by up to 60 percent and anxiety by 40 percent, allowing for a more comfortable and positive patient experience.
