The Child Life Program at Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa is designed to alleviate any concerns children and their families may have regarding their child's hospitalization and necessary medical procedures. It is the only such program in Sonoma County. Physicians who recognize a family's apprehension about a child's upcoming hospital stay can refer the family to this program.
Easing the Impact The Child Life Program's goals are to:
Decrease mental trauma by providing education and emotional support for patients and their families
Help each patient respond positively to treatments
Ease the psychological impact of hospitalization
Meet the patient's ongoing needs for growth and development
The Power of Play Utilizing medical play techniques, observation and discussion. The Child Life Program at Sutter Medical Center acknowledges and responds to the special needs of children and teens by acquainting them in a relaxed environment with the materials and equipment used in medical procedures. Providing them with an opportunity to express and resolve any fears or misconceptions they may have about their treatment, and providing the medical staff with insights into each patient's individual needs.
Tips For Parents Listen to your child's concerns. Be honest about what will happen and what may hurt. Being honest with your child helps build trust. Stay with your child in the hospital and during the procedures.
Child Life Specialist Services The Child Life Program at Sutter Medical Center is coordinated by a certified child life specialist whose responsibilities include:
Emotionally preparing the patient for treatments and procedures
Counseling the patient and family
Providing pre-operative educational and diversional activities as appropriate
Accompanying the patient to surgery and through the recovery process
Teaching coping
Tip For Patients: Ask about things that you don't understand. If something hurts or you are scared, let a grown up know. Bring you favorite things from home.
Service Overview Sutter Medical Center's Child Life Program prepares children and their families for a child's hospitalization through the use of active medical play experiences. The program specialist engages the child in a variety of activities using actual medical equipment and special puppets. She also provides helpful reading materials and helps counsel the family through this difficult time. Child Life services are available to all Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa patients under age 18.
For more information, call Sutter Medical Center's Child Life Specialist at (707) 576-4519.
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa is home to Sonoma County's only designated Pediatric Unit. It is open to children age 13 and under for acute inpatient care and for outpatient procedures such as IV therapy and minor surgery.
Service Overview Our licensed, California Children's Services (CCS) approved, nine-bed Pediatrics Unit is a separate department allowing it to be fashioned with child-friendly decor and play room to encourage hospitalized children to remain active. Sutter Medical Center also features a Child Life Program. This unique program helps prepare and support the child and family for hospitalization.
Professional Staff Sutter Medical Center's Pediatric Unit is staffed by specially trained registered nurses assisted by experienced licensed vocational nurses. They provide special family education to prepare parents to manage their children's care at home. Other members of Sutter's pediatric team include a designated pediatric case manager and Sonoma County's only neonatal pediatric education specialist.
The Pediatric Case Manager leads the pediatric multidisciplinary team to ensure that the care provided to our young patients is well coordinated.
The Neonatal Pediatric Education Specialist sees that the quality of care is up to Sutter Medical Center's high standards. This is done through patient rounds as well as formal and informal staff development and education. The specialist acts as a consultant to staff members and is also available for on-site professional education at other hospitals.
Medical Director Rick Anaka MD Dr. Rick Anaka is CCS-paneled and board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. He oversees Pediatric Unit operations, works collaboratively with the unit's nursing leadership, and assists with clinical quality improvement initiatives and program development related to pediatric services.
For more information, call Sutter Medical Center's Pediatric Unit at (707) 576-4435.
