Bandaids to keep 'em happy???

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I worked as a Medical Assistant for about five years, and the office was primarily pediatrics, every once in a while we would get an urgent care case. These were usually kids that had a cut, or a broken arm, or a high fever- things of that nature. The problem is that I worked with a very SLOW doctor. She would take thirty minutes with a flu patient, and I absolutely could not disturb her. So when these patients came in, I would have to take their vitals, and put them in a room to wait. Even if the child was screaming like a wild banshee. So, one day I happened to have a cool penguin bandaid, and the kid (high fever and stomach pain) was wailing, the office was full and he was starting to make the other kids cry. I presented the bandaid, and put it on his belly, I told him the only way that i works is if he dosn't cry. And poof, he didn't cry. He actually started to feel better LOL, but anyway, the bandaid trick worked many different times, and I'm starting to wonder if this was wrong of me?

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I worked as a Medical Assistant for about five years, and the office was primarily pediatrics, every once in a while we would get an urgent care case. These were usually kids that had a cut, or a broken arm, or a high fever- things of that nature. The problem is that I worked with a very SLOW doctor. She would take thirty minutes with a flu patient, and I absolutely could not disturb her. So when these patients came in, I would have to take their vitals, and put them in a room to wait. Even if the child was screaming like a wild banshee. So, one day I happened to have a cool penguin bandaid, and the kid (high fever and stomach pain) was wailing, the office was full and he was starting to make the other kids cry. I presented the bandaid, and put it on his belly, I told him the only way that i works is if he dosn't cry. And poof, he didn't cry. He actually started to feel better LOL, but anyway, the bandaid trick worked many different times, and I'm starting to wonder if this was wrong of me?

what you actually did is admirably creative. if it works for the sanity of everybody... then it should be okay. they are little kids anyway...

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You did a great job of tapping into the mind/body connection. That connection has a remarkable influence on pain perception and healing. You lowered the children's stress levels and pain perception. Working through the psyche, the band-aid DID work.

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

with kids you have to be creative sometimes. what you did, did not harm the child in any way or comprimise his safety so kudos for your ingenuity.:balloons:

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

That is a wonderful suggestion. I've always used the glove balloon, but since latex allergy is getting so common, your suggestion is IDEAL! Thanks

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Good thinking!

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Specializes in MICU for 4 years, now PICU for 3 years!.

It goes along the same principle of giving a kid a band-aid when they get a shot, even if it's not needed... kids think that their insides will leak out, so the band-aid keeps them in... This makes sense to me. Good thinking!

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It goes along the same principle of giving a kid a band-aid when they get a shot, even if it's not needed... kids think that their insides will leak out, so the band-aid keeps them in... This makes sense to me. Good thinking!

thanks for all your comments!! thanks

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Nothing wrong with that! Heck, the crying and screaming isn't all that great for a kid anyway...let alone the parents, other pts, staff, etc! I know if I was a kid and went into the doctors and heard a kid screaming I would be terrified!!!!!

I work ortho and med surge, but typically we don't see to many children. I love it when they come in so I can use my creative license and be fun!

I had this one poor little gal that came in with a stomach virus and she had the runs so badly her rectum hurt and burned causing her to cry! I got a non-latex glove, filled it with cold water...but on a smiley face and went into the room. I told her that this was Mr. Helping Hand, and he could go help one spot of the body that needs helping! I reminded her that in order to work, you can't switch places with Mr. HH, so once you put him on the body that is where he stays (didn't want her putting it on the rectum and then her head or something! LOL!).

It helped her out soooooooooo much! The MD's and Parents thought it was hillarious and cute, and I gained the childs respect right away! She even told me "I like nurses now!"...heck, that is a good thing!!!!!!!!!

So go for it...pt comfort is very important, and heck...if a simple bandaid does the trick! WOW! Just wished that worked on adults!!!!!!!!! LOL!

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I think it's great.

I put a lot of band-aids on invisible boo-boos at home. It's not going to hurt, and if it helps, great.

Amanda

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Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

I say if it stops the tears and makes your little patients feel better, it's a great thing. I have 2 kids and a band aid and a kiss from Mom can fix pretty much anything. :chuckle

Celia

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