Designing a Child-Friendly Environment for Stressful and Painful Medical Procedures

Medical procedures are part of daily pediatric practice. It is often neglected that these procedures are painful and stressful for sick children. Laughing gas can be used to provide pain relief. The gas is a light sedative that is administered through a mask. However, children can be scared of the mask.

The design of the child-friendly surgery room puts the child’s perspective central. The main ingredients: projections around the hospital bed and an interactive (laughing gas) mask with small animals and responsive lights. The latter react to the child’s breathing and help children to relax in a playful manner.