Virtual reality headsets ease treatments for young patients at Advocate Children’s Hospitals

Virtual reality headsets ease treatments for young patients at Advocate Children’s Hospitals

By Susan Degrane
Chicago Tribune - Daily Southtown

“Beyond helping children experience joy and feel more at ease, Advocate’s child life specialists help them handle medical procedures that sometimes come with a dose of discomfort.

These can include blood draws, MRIs, X-rays, health monitoring and the application of peripherally inserted central catheters used for administering intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemotherapy and other medicines.

On any given day, Myren and other child life specialists encourage kids undergoing these procedures to blow bubbles, read I-Spy books, play with iPads, employ deep breathing, or simply engage in conversation with loved ones.

Recently the hospital acquired another form of distraction that for some kids seems to trump all others — a virtual reality system created by KindVR.”