Abstract
Aims
Up to 80% of pediatric patients experience preoperative distress. Current management strategies frequently underrepresent their active participation. This mixed-methods study evaluates the Little Platypus initiative, a nurse-led intervention in which children and young people (CYP) select themed surgical caps for themselves and their anesthetic team. The study examines the initiative's impact on patient autonomy, rapport, and the overall experience.
Methodology
From October 2022 to October 2023, 81 patients and their caregivers gave feedback on their participation in this project. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and free-text responses were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
The intervention demonstrated high effectiveness in enhancing the patient experience. A total of 91.4% of patients valued the opportunity to choose their cap, and 81.5% reported a positive emotional response to wearing it. Additionally, 77.8% of CYP and 88.9% of caregivers indicated increased comfort with the anesthetic team. Qualitative analysis revealed that the caps were perceived as a gesture of kindness, contributing to trust-building and “softening” the surgical environment. Challenges included inconsistent staff engagement, particularly in the later stages of the pilot, underscoring the need for sustained clinical leadership.
Conclusions
This initiative represents a cost-neutral and socially enriching model that significantly improves the perioperative experience by empowering CYP as decision-makers. It creates a visual connection between staff and families, helping to humanize care and build rapport. These findings support broader implementation of patient-centered interventions to enhance healthcare for CYP.
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