3 minute read
Collections with children (aged 3-12
“The staff were beyond amazing. I took my 3-year-old daughter and was naturally a bit anxious about her having blood tests so young. However, [the staff in the collection centre] and the lovely lady who took the bloods were so wonderful and completely put my mind at ease. They made my daughter feel so comfortable and made it a pleasant experience for her. Can’t speak more highly of our visit. Thank you!”
Consumer
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A child’s first collection experience shapes their view of pathology (and often needles) for the rest of their lives. As a young person told us: “A bad collection as a child can set you up for a lifetime of fear and avoidance of pathology. We want your best collectors, not people who are learning on us.”
Therefore, the experience must be a partnership with the family and as gentle as possible. We know collections with children can be difficult, exhausting work and not all staff have the personality or skill to do paediatric collections. Communication should be a little different for younger versus older kids (this is known as developmentally appropriate communication). Here are several things we must do:
• Introduce ourselves to the parent(s) and child(ren) • Let the parent/caregiver know they’re in control and can stop at any time • Stay calm, to put the child and parent/caregiver at ease • Check if the parent can hold their child (not all parents can)
Parents shouldn’t have to ask our staff to introduce themselves or explain the procedure.
What helps
If parents ring in advance, let them know when to come in (quieter times, times with enough staff) and
how to prepare. For example, some parents like to use numbing cream, drinking enough water, or bringing along something for the child to watch during the procedure.
Ask if it’s the first time. You’ll adjust your approach for someone who is having their first blood test. This will often mean slowing down to explain the process and ensure everyone feels comfortable.
As a parent shared: “The collector for my daughter’s first time was excellent because she talked through the whole process. I really like when people don’t just tell the parent, but they talked to the kid like they’re a person. Because you know the procedure was happening to her, not me … she was really great and she kind of you know really validated that she would be feeling… you know, she said like “I know that this isn’t really what you wanna do, and this is a bit scary, but I promise I’ll be really fast and you know your mum’s here.”
Set up first, calmly. As Loretta from Hunter shares: “I like to review the test-set and set up first to ensure I give the family my full attention. I’m calm (even if I don’t feel it) and make eye contact.”
Show before doing. As Carolyn from Tamworth shared: “if it’s the first time, I often apply the tourniquet to the parent first to show the child it doesn’t hurt”. Make frequent visitors feel special. This could involve having a VIP badge for kids having frequent collections, or something similar.
Make a friendly joke. In some situations, it can help to joke such as “oh my gosh, you’ve got green blood!”.
Children love stickers, especially if they can pick one.
What hinders
Telling the parent or caregiver you know best, or that
they must have the test(s) on the request form. We must work in partnership with parents and families. They know their child and if they’re not comfortable progressing, that’s their right.
Assuming everyone is the same. Assuming all parents and children are the same – while some parents and children want to take time, others will want to move through quickly. Griselda from Wollongong stresses taking your lead from the parent(s).
Having no distractions. Without anything to look at or do, kids are often bored and more anxious. It can help to have things for kids to look at and play with, such as a nature or Where’s Wally poster on the wall.
What to avoid:
Consumer
