Facility dog Daniels doles out affection for young patients

Pediatric Intensive Care patients and their families now have an extra dose of support from a furry friend while going through treatment. Thanks to Canine Companions, Daniels, a two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, joins the child life team along with Huggie, Zeebee and Paloma as they reduce fear and anxiety during patient procedures and long hospital stays.

Minimizing needle pokes, anxiety for patients

Our compassionate staff work hard to provide comfort and pain management solutions to minimize trauma and anxiety for our pediatric patients. Thanks to a new portable ultrasound machine funded by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), our care teams have guided access to tiny veins during lab draws and IV placements which helps reduce needle placement attempts, and more importantly, lessens stress and pain for tiny patients.

Wireless monitoring for PICU/PCICU patients

Thanks to new wireless technology funded by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PICU/PCICU) can now experience a little freedom away from their bed and enjoy the playroom while being safely monitored.

Sib Sacks help siblings cope with hospitalization

In 2021 child life specialists created Sib Sacks, a program designed to help siblings feel special and better cope with their brother or sister’s hospitalization. Each sack includes a zippered mouth stuffed monster that encourages siblings to write down their fears and place them in the monster’s mouth to be eaten up and other fun supplies. The inclusive, family-centered experience aims to improve our high-quality care and has been well received by patient families.

Patients shine at Creative Arts Festival

Our continued partnership with BayKids Studios allows hospitalized children to express their imaginations by becoming directors, actors, and heroes of their own stories. At this year’s Creative Arts Festival held at Sacramento’s West Wind Drive-In Theater, families gathered to view patient-centered artwork and movies on the big screen. The evening highlighted 19 pieces of art followed by a screening of 17 patient-made films. Each artist received an award photo book and filmmakers received personalized Oscars called “The Greatest Davis Awards.”