Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

CLAY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, Clay Center, KS
Teddy Bear Clinic
 
What is it?
This picture shows students from St. Paul Lutheran Preschool who toured the Clay County Medical Center's radiology depart and emergency rooms during a Teddy Bear Clinic. The program was designed to give children a comfortable feeling about visiting the hospital. Children brought their favorite teddy bear with them to learn what it is like to be admitted to a hospital.  After checking the teddy bears in and receiving an identifying bracelet for themselves and their bears, Tyce Young, Director of Nursing, examined each "patient" to discern what ailment needed treatment.  For instance, one child said his bear had a "frog" in his throat.  With a little flashlight and tongue depressor, Tyce could see frog legs!  As all of the children roared with laughter, Tyce declared the condition was caused by tickleitis and prescribed three hugs a day and lots of kisses as the best cure.  The children were able to see a child's oxygen mask, listen to a heartbeat with a stethoscope and see ears checked with an otoscope. After the examinations, the children followed hospital personnel on a half-hour tour.  The visitors were given some words of caution about putting things in their mouths and were able to look at x-rays of children who had swallowed small toys or coins.   The children leave the hospital with cookies and balloons.

Who is it  for?
Our hospital offers clinics for Head Start as well as any pre-school in our service area that wants to participate.

Why did they do it?
The program idea was copied from similar national programs that were originally developed to assist children who had been victims of abuse.  We felt we could use the concept to encompass any reason a child might need to visit the hospital. 

Contact: Marcia Newell
Director of Marketing
785-632-2133
mnewell@ccmcks.org