There’s nothing more devastating than having to watch a child go into a hospital to get surgery, is there? No matter the severity of the procedure, we can all probably agree that a child should never have to go through something so distressing.
It’s only natural for something like a major surgery to cause stress and anxiety for the little one. In fact, one study found that up to 60 percent of young children undergoing anesthesia and surgery report substantial anxiety. That makes things even harder.
Knowing this, it only makes sense that some hospitals try to make it easier for children who need surgery in any way they can. While it’s certainly not their job to tend to people’s nerves, it’s always nice when gestures are made to help ease the woes of their patients, especially when children are involved.
One hospital in California recently made headlines for the brilliant way they keep kids’ nerves calm before going in for a procedure. Doctors Medical Center in Modesto offers their pediatric patients with something truly amazing: miniature cars that kids can literally drive themselves in to the operating room in!
Using pint-size toy cars is a a fun way to make the best out of a daunting situation, and the kids get to look forward to doing something fun instead of something scary. It makes them forget about why they’re there in the first place, and eases the stress of having to undergo something like a surgery.
“These sweet rides take our smallest patients to the operating room,” the hospital said in a statement to PEOPLE. “The goal is to reduce anxiety and stress and make the experience less scary for everyone involved.”
By everyone involved, they mean the parents too. Sure, Mom and Dad might not have to go through the procedure themselves, but you’ll almost always here a parent say they wish it was them having to do it and not their kid. And so watching their kid actually be joyful going into the operating room can ease their anxieties, too.
As of right now, there are two different kinds of cars the multi-specialty facility offers: A mini pink Volkswagen Beetle and a black Mercedes. They are hoping to get more in for the future and continue helping kids feel better about their impending surgeries.
“It can be traumatizing for a young patient to be peeled away from their parents as they head into surgery,” the hospital said. “This truly helps everyone involved.”
Don’t believe us? Take a look at one little happy passenger making her way to the operating room in the adorable video below. We don’t think we’ve ever seen someone this young so excited to endure surgery!
Cue the happy tears! How sweet is this gesture by a hospital to lessen stress and anxiety for kids who need surgery? Have you ever seen a facility go through these types of lengths to help kids before? How would you ease the stress for a child in this situation?