Virtual reality to reduce the stress of paediatric patients in preparation for surgery
Virtual reality headsets have become a very useful instrument for a more comfortable patient stay, especially children who are hospitalised in preparation for a surgical procedure. This technology allows children to immerse themselves in a virtual world where they can interact and familiarise themselves in advance with the medical process and the facilities where the procedure will take place.
Reducing the stress and anxiety levels of the youngest patients who need to face surgery in an operating theatre has been the objective leading Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital to incorporate the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets into its paediatric medical project. This medical establishment situated in Malaga is the first hospital of the Quirónsalud group in Andalusia to introduce this technology as a tool to help improve the patient’s experience. "Virtual reality headsets have become a very useful instrument for a more comfortable patient stay, especially children who are hospitalised in preparation for a surgical procedure. This technology allows children to immerse themselves in a virtual world where they can interact and familiarise themselves in advance with the medical process and the facilities where the procedure will take place. This possibility of advancing information to the child through digital language, which is so familiar to them, has direct consequences on their wellbeing, i.e., reduction of anxiety and stress", explained Miguel Ángel Ramírez Marrero, Medical Director at the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital.
Virtual reality offers multiple models and applications that can be adapted to the needs of each medical protocol. In the case of the Marbella hospital, the expert highlights that this technology is put in place in the days prior to the surgical procedure. "We have developed a model based on previous knowledge – specified Dr Ramírez Marrero. Families are provided with a VR headset kit when the procedure is scheduled. The child takes it home to use it whenever they like. The headset, which is adapted to the child’s head size, allows the child to become the leading character in a virtual circuit that is similar to that of the hospital’s. The virtual tour and interaction with the space is activated with the movement of the head. Since the child has the possibility to become familiarised with the operating theatre facilities, when the time comes to be transferred to this area, the experience is much less stressful".
Another relevant factor in this initiative is the way it helps at the time of administering the anaesthetics. "Fear, stress and anxiety are factors affecting sedation. Helping the patient feel as comfortable as possible helps anaesthetics take their best effect and also helps with the waking process of the young patient. The purpose at our hospital is to provide patients with the means to experience a better hospital stay", highlighted the Head of the Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation Unit, Dr Blas Rodríguez Gil.
The incorporation of the virtual reality headsets has been an addition to the actions implemented in the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital with a focus on the improvement of the paediatric patient’s wellbeing and that of their families. The most recent is the use of electric cars during the transfer of the child to the surgery unit or to a room for diagnostic tests. The vehicles are small-scale replicas of high-range vehicles and are controlled by health professionals during the transfer of the child, providing the latter with a playful fun-filled experience during their journey. Additionally, the common areas of the hospitalisation ward have been fully renovated. The corridor of the Maternity-Infant ward now has colourful panels based on Kenko characters, the paediatric line of the Quirónsalud group.
Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital, as a reference hospital on the Costa del Sol, is the only medical centre in the area providing a Paediatric A&E service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
