Minimizing the trauma and anxiety of hospitalization
Our Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department and compassionate staff work hard to minimize trauma and anxiety for our patients and allow them to continue typical growth and development. This year we continued to offer a wide variety of support services and activities, including a new initiative called Comfort Commitment.
Genetic testing for critically ill newborns
In 2019, UC Davis Children’s Hospital became the fifth hospital statewide to join Project Baby Bear, the first California state funded program to offer rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill newborns. The $2 million Medi-Cal pilot program provides genome testing for babies who are hospitalized in intensive care and suspected of having a genetic disorder.
New pediatric pain team
Pediatric pain patients and their families can now receive help from an interdisciplinary team of pain consultants who focus more on a collaborative and holistic approach. Funded by a Children’s Miracle Network grant, the team is comprised of physical and occupational therapists, palliative care specialists, child life and creative arts therapists, and a pain medicine psychologist who provide guidance on pain management and therapeutic options such as refocusing techniques, comfort positions and creating a calming environment.
Baby-Friendly Hospital designation
UC Davis Medical Center has earned the highly prestigious Baby-Friendly designation by Baby-Friendly USA, demonstrating adherence to the highest standards of breastfeeding care built on evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Gold safe sleep champion
UC Davis Children’s Hospital was recognized in 2020 by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a gold safe sleep champion for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids,® the only national infant safe sleep organization.
I-PASS increases patient safety
In 2020 our children’s hospital was chosen as one of 21 study sites for I-PASS, a multi-site effort to standardize provider handoffs, with a focus on improving patient safety. Led by Jessica Witkowski, and pediatrics nurse manager Angie Marin, the team trained doctors and nurses on quality of communication and how to better integrate patient families in all aspects of daily decision making. Results showed improvement in both patient safety and the patient family experience.
