I n s i d e | G e r m s , G e r m s , G o A w a y ! | P a g e 7

Published by Children’s Hospital, Omaha, NEPublished by Children’s Hospital, Omaha, NE

justkidsSummer

2007

The Vein Viewer: Easing Vascular

Procedures for Children

Summer Safety Tips

Do Your Kids Spend Too Much Time Online?

c h i l d r e n’s s p o t l i g h t

he challenges of providing exceptional health care for children are numerous, and vascular

access is no exception. Whether due to age, skin tone or condition, veins can be significantly difficult to locate and access in many patients. Health care professionals must deal with a child’s small veins and limited access points, as well as manage the anxiety of both the child and the parent. To help combat these issues, Children’s Hospital recently purchased several devices called Vein Viewers to help locate veins and reduce the amount of attempts, or pokes, needed to access them.

The Vein Viewer uses a combination of near-infrared light and patented technologies to show vascular structures, or veins, on the surface of the child’s skin. This non-invasive approach allows physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to clearly see where accessible veins are located with no risk of tissue damage from the image. Once the veins are located, health care professionals can insert IVs, draw blood or perform other procedures with greater accuracy.

“I like the equipment a lot because you can see everything,” says Danielle Davis, mom to 11-month-

T

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The Vein Viewer: Easing Accessibility to Tiny Veins

old Ashlynn. “It’s hard for me to see her get poked, and she’s a very hard stick. Before, they’d have to poke her several times, so it’s nice to have equipment that allows them to get to her veins easier.”

Ashlynn has VATER syndrome, a condition that affects multiple areas of the body, including vertebrae, trachea, esophagus and kidneys. After she was born, Ashlynn’s parents moved the family from Texas to Omaha so Ashlynn could receive treatment from the specialists and neurosurgeons available here.

“Omaha had everything we needed, and the experts were all close by,” says Danielle. “With two other children and one more on the way, we needed the convenience, as well as the expertise.”

The Vein Viewer’s portability makes it easy to transport between departments within the hospital, allowing more patients to benefit from the technology. It not only helps ease a patient’s pain, but it helps speed up the procedure process. All this helps to ease patient worries and parental anxiety.

“It gives me peace of mind,” says Danielle. “It’s easier on Ashlynn, it’s easier on me, and I’m sure it’s easier on the nurses. It’s just great.”

Children’s Hospital currently has six Vein Viewers that are available to all patients, making it easier to find even the most elusive veins. ■

Easing Accessibility to Tiny Veins

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mprovements in computer systems, software, wireless technology and information management occur almost

on a daily basis. Children’s Hospital is committed to keeping up with these fast-paced demands of technology, evident in the recent technological advances incorporated at the hospital within the past 24 months:■ Children’s implemented a new, more efficient registration and scheduling process, patient-friendly billing and online payment services. These features help improve customer service and the family’s hospital experience.■ Children’s Hospital went “filmless” with our Picture Archival and Communications System (PACS). All of the hospital’s radiologic images are now digitized and transmitted, stored and archived electronically. This results in faster, more accurate diagnoses for patients and increased efficiency in the radiology department. ■ Children’s created a complete closed-

loop medication management system using the Eclipsys Sunrise Medication Management application. Bar codes on the medication are scanned against bar codes on the patient’s arm band, eliminating wrong drug, dose or patient issues. This

The Vein Viewer: Easing Accessibility to Tiny Veins I

Children’s Hospital was named the recipient of the first

President’s Award by the Eclipsys Corporation at an awards

ceremony in Scottsdale, Ariz., in May. Children’s Hospital was

recognized for using technology to achieve measurable

improvements in patient care quality, patient safety and

efficiency. The Eclipsys Corporation is a computer software

company that helps health care organizations improve clinical,

financial, operational and customer satisfaction outcomes.

“We created the President’s Award to single out the organization

that best demonstrated the ability to improve quality of care and

achieve other impressive outcome improvements using Eclipsys

solutions,” said R. Andrew Eckert, Eclipsys president and chief

executive officer. “From its board of directors to clinicians to

information technology staff, Children’s Hospital has a strong

organizational commitment to achieving and measuring outcome

improvements. The organization provides a perfect example of how to

align resources to get incredible value.”

The use of metrics to gauge success is built into the formal process

improvement and project management methodologies at Children’s

Hospital. Clinical and operational team members from across the

organization use these measurements to review performance and

determine where improvements are needed.

“We are excited to be recognized for our commitment to using

technology to enhance the quality and safety of patient care,” says

Allana Cummings, Children’s vice president of information technology

and CIO.

Children’s Hospital Uses Technology to Benefit Patients

system also enabled Children’s to eliminate duplicate medication orders, leading to a decrease in transcription errors by over 30 percent. In addition, the system is built with drug allergy, weight-based dosing and mass dose alerts. ■

Children’s Wins Award for Employing the Latest Advances

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very spring and summer, pediatricians and hospital emergency staff treat many children injured in their own

yards. A child’s natural curiosity and quick movements can catch even the most attentive parent off-guard. Accidents can happen in an instant, a fact illustrated in countless news stories of small children injured by lawn mowers.

But parents can help keep their children safe this summer by following a few guidelines.

“Children like to imitate adult behavior or actions, and many children are attracted to the sound and movements of lawn mowers and play games around them,” says David Tolo, MD, medical director of the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centers at Children’s Hospital, and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at both Creighton University and University of Nebraska School of Medicine. “Numbers of children are seriously injured from lawn mower accidents. These incidents result in loss of fingers and toes, and some are more serious injuries that can result in death.”

Lawn mowers and small children are not a good mix. If you’re getting ready to mow the lawn, keep young children inside or send

them over to a neighbor’s house to play. Not only can children dart into the path of the mower, but rocks and other debris can shoot out of the mower when it’s in use. Don’t let children play around a mower, even if the mower is not in use.

“Never give a child a ride on a riding lawn mower,” says Dr. Tolo. “Children can fall off the riding mower and be run over. It’s also not a good idea to pull children in carts behind a riding mower.”

In addition, don’t allow children to play on grass that has been chemically treated for at least 48 hours after treatment.

pooL sAfEty

Pools are another common yard danger. Install a fence around pools and make sure the gate is childproof. Young children must have constant adult supervision when they

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c h i l d r e n’s s p o t l i g h t

David Tolo, MD

summer safety tipsfor Parents of Young Children

are anywhere near the water, and older children should never swim alone. Never use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.

Diving accidents also can be prevented.

Always enter the water feet first to check the depth of the water. Make sure all diving takes place in the deep end of the pool with a clear path in front of the diver. Striking the head on the bottom or side of the pool can result in serious spinal injury.

Avoid trAmpoLinEs

Trampolines can be beneficial when used during supervised training programs, but the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against their use in the home environment. Even when equipped with accessories designed to prevent injuries, trampolines have the potential to cause serious injury, and most injuries happen when there are simultaneous multiple users.

While careful observation can prevent most yard mishaps, be prepared. Know the ABCs of child resuscitation. The best way to learn CPR skills is with hands-on training. Look for a program that provides complete training from qualified health professionals. ■

frEE BroChurE!Call Children’s Hospital at 402-955-6950 for your frEE copy of our Summer Safety brochure to help keep your family healthy and happy throughout the summer.

no matter the Emergency, We Can helpfever. Broken bones. Burns. Children’s Hospital has the only dedicated pediatric

emergency department in the region. Located at Children’s Hospital, 8200 Dodge St., in Omaha, the emergency department provides service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Children’s two Urgent Care Centers are open evenings, weekends and holidays to help patients with minor medical conditions. The Urgent Care Centers are located just north of 144th and West Center Road (402-955-7200) and at 138th and West Maple Road (402-955-3600).

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for children by not spending long periods of time online during ‘child friendly’ hours,” says Cusick.

KEEping ChiLdrEn sAfE

Installing quality filtering, rating or blocking software may give parents some peace of mind when it comes to their children surfing the Internet, but these software programs need to be re-evaluated periodically and adapted to the ever-changing Cyberworld.

“Parents need to think of these tools not as a punishment but as protection, and older teens should not look at these tools as a challenge to crack the code,” says Cusick. “Trust-building is important, and open communication with predictable supervision is always positive.”

What if your children are reluctant to talk about what they’re doing on the Internet? It could be a warning sign that they are visiting inappropriate websites. Or it might signal something worse. According to one study, almost 20 percent of youth who use the Internet are targets of

unwanted sexual advances.

Do Your Kids Spend Too Much Time Online?

Coleen Cusick

n this digital age, children have the world at their fingertips. But if your children are spending too much time surfing the

Internet, visiting chat rooms and exchanging e-mails, it may be time to take back the mouse and keyboard.

“Parents shouldn’t wait until their children are spending too much time on the Internet before setting limits,” says Coleen Cusick, a licensed mental health practitioner with the Family Support Center at Children’s Hospital. “Giving children an absolute ‘No’ or ‘Never’ will increase feelings of desperation in children, especially teens, so it might be best to take on a more interactive approach of ‘Show me’ or ‘Tell me’ with them.”

When engaging in conversations about online activities, parents should educate their children on safety risks, and let the children educate them on navigating the Internet.

“Parents also should act as role models

IHere are a few

strategies to help your kids surf safely:■ Keep the computer in a common room, such as the living room or a high traffic area. ■ Buy computer software that blocks adult-oriented websites.

■ Check out what your children are doing online, and get to know their online friends. Remember, it’s not an invasion of their privacy if strangers can see what they’re doing, too.■ Set a “screen” time limit of no more than one to two hours a day. This includes TV, video game and computer time.■ Never let your children reveal personal information—such as their name, address, age or phone number— to anyone on the Internet. ■

Build a Better relationship with your ChildThe Children’s Family Support Center offers psychological evaluations and counseling services to children of all ages and their families. These professionals can help you build a better relationship with your child. For more information, visit our website at chsomaha.org. Or call 402-955-3900 for a referral.

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Check up on your teen’s healththe American Academy of pediatrics and other experts recommend that teens get a checkup once a year. during these visits, your doctor may:

■ provide guidance on how to prevent injuries.

■ discuss the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise.

■ check if your teen might have an eating disorder or a problem with body image.

■ talk about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse.

■ check if your child has high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

■ perform a pap test on your teenage daughter, if appropriate.

■ give your teen any needed immunizations.

if you need help finding a physician for your child, call the Children’s hospital physician referral Line at 402-955-7109.

fAmiLy sAfEty dAy offErs

importAnt LEssons through pLAy

The National Safety Council – Greater Omaha Chapter, Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Cares for Kids are again sponsoring the annual Family Safety Day on Sunday, October 7, at the Holiday Inn Central located at 3321 S. 72nd Street in Omaha. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Family Safety Day is a free, fun and educational way for children and families to learn about safety. Activities and displays include fire engines, a police helicopter, costumed characters, a safe house, lessons on calling 911 and more.

Family Safety Day is one of several activities that are part of the partnership between the event sponsors. The goal of the partnership is to promote safe programs and messages

AnnuAL pEnny drivE movEs to

sEptEmBEr

It’s important to teach children to save their pennies. It’s also important to teach them how to give them away. These are among the lessons Omaha-area students and community members can learn by participating in the annual Penny Drive for Children’s Hospital, which has moved from January to September.

During the Penny Drive, area banks and elementary schools collect money in specially-designated money jars. All funds raised from the Penny Drive will be used to help ensure that no child with a medical need is ever turned away due to a family’s inability to pay. In addition, all elementary schools that participate receive a trophy, and the school that raises the most money earns a school-wide pizza party.

For more information on the Penny Drive or on how to participate, call 402-955-5325.

Upcoming Events

that educate families, caregivers and the public about ways to prevent injuries and keep children safe. For more information, call 402-955-6815.

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ven the healthiest children sometimes get sick. You cannot protect your children against every germ. You can, however,

lower their chances of getting colds and other contagious illnesses.

Keep your home smoke-free. Children exposed to tobacco smoke get more infections of the ears, sinuses and lungs.

Schedule regular checkups with the pediatrician. If your children have medical conditions such as asthma or allergies, treatment may boost their resistance to illness.

Serve plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The nutrients in these foods help strengthen the body’s defenses.

Get your children into the hand-washing habit. Regular hand washing can protect against many kinds of infections.

EShow your children how to scrub the front and back of their hands with soap and rub them together under running water. Teach your children that they need to wash:■ before eating.■ after using the bathroom.■ after coughing, sneezing or wiping their nose.■ after spending time in a public place.

Teach other healthy habits, including:■ Cover the mouth when coughing.■ Turn away from others when sneezing. ■ Use tissues to catch a sneeze and to wipe a runny nose. Discard used tissues immediately.■ Do not share food, eating utensils or towels.

Be sure you practice germ-fighting habits, too. Your children will learn from your example. ■

A safety Checklist for BackpacksCarrying heavy backpacks can lead to back pain, muscle fatigue, soreness and other problems. Here’s how to lighten your

children’s loads:

■ Pack it smart. Experts advise not letting children carry more than 15 percent of their body weight in their backpacks. Put the

heaviest items closest to your child’s back.

■ Buy a pack with a waist strap—and make sure your children use it for heavy loads.

■ Tell children to bend with both knees when picking up a heavy pack.

■ Make sure the straps of the backpack are wide and padded for comfort.

■ Tell children it’s important to carry it evenly. A recent study concluded that carrying a pack on only one shoulder boosts the risk

of back pain in adolescents.

Jose r. romero, md, pediatric infectious disease specialist and professor of pediatrics at University of Nebraska Medical Center

Germs, Germs, go Away!

8200 Dodge StreetOmaha, NE 68114402-955-5400

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PAIDChildren’s Hospital

just kids is published by Children’s Hospital to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. © 2007. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Gary A. Perkins, President and CEOKathy English, Executive Vice President and COODavid G.J. Kaufman, MD, Medical AdvisorDannee Hartley, Public Relations Coordinator

Printed on Recyclable Paper 881M

Postmaster: Please deliver between August 20 and 24.

Visit our website at www.chsomaha.org.

cross the country, fewer than 15 percent of children walk or bike to school. Part of the reason may be that many places

have spread-out neighborhoods, as well as

Ahave spread-out neighborhoods, as well as

justkids

Physicians and clinical associate professor of pediatrics at both the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University. “Also, consider previously arranged designated ‘safe houses’ along the way that children

could go to if they needed help. Those in the safe house may offer to keep an eye on the children as they walk to and from school.”

In addition:■ Don’t allow kids under age 10 to walk or bike alone. One way to manage this is to organize parents to take turns walking a group of students to and from school. Be sure that every child knows every adult in the group.■ Make sure children know they should walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, they should walk facing traffic, as far to the left as possible. Children who bike should ride on the right side of the road—going the same direction as traffic. They should come to a complete stop before crossing the street. And they should always wear helmets.■ When crossing streets, teach children to try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them at corners and crosswalks.■ Talk to the school about adding well-trained crossing guards in school zones.■ Ask city or county staff officials to make your neighborhood safer for children getting to and from school. A community might consider adding marked crosswalks, improved lighting, new or modified street signs, speed bumps or better traffic signals. ■

John Moore, MD

cross the country, fewer than 15 percent of children walk A

children as they walk to and from school.”

■ Don’t allow kids under age 10 to walk or bike alone. One way to manage this is to organize parents to take turns walking a group of students to and from school. Be sure that every child knows every adult in the group.

Make sure children know they should

Help Your Kids Walk to School—Safely

wide, high-speed roads that serve as major thoroughfares. As a result, children walk less frequently and are not as “practiced” in safe-walking behaviors. But the good news is that parents can do a lot to make their children smarter on the street.

WALKing hAs hEALth BEnEfits

for ChiLdrEn

Why get children to walk or bike when they can get a ride? Because more activity can create a number of health benefits for kids. Specifically, it can help them control their weight and build strong bones and muscles. It also can help them become more independent.

WALK this WAy

To make getting to and from school safer for your children, consider a few suggestions.

“If possible, choose a walking route that avoids heavily traveled streets,” says John Moore, MD, a pediatrician with Children’s

Children’s Hospital has received accreditation or recognition from the following organizations for its delivery of extraordi-nary health care to children.