By: Jessica Palumbo Dufur, Certified Child Life Specialist
Surgery can be an intimidating experience for anyone, especially kids. Bringing a comfort item from home gives our patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta a sense of normalcy and control. Whether it’s a stuffed animal or a book, the item is with them while they’re being prepped for surgery until they go into the operating room, and when they wake up from anesthesia.
For patients who forget their comfort item, we provide them with one—a teddy bear, blanket or even a light-up wand. Comfort items are a great coping mechanism for patients on the day of surgery, and provide us an opportunity to give the child a choice in a situation when so much is chosen for them.
