New Pre-Op Space in Surgical Services

The Surgical Services program at Franciscan Hospital for Children provides services for children who have extensive dental needs, developmental disabilities, medically compromising conditions, as well as those who have difficulty coping with dental treatment on an outpatient basis (situational anxiety). If you have questions about our Surgical Services program, would like to request more information, or to schedule a tour of our facility, please email info@fhfc.org or call 617-254-3800, ext. 2970.

The surgical suite is one of several spaces at Franciscan Hospital for Children receiving significant facility upgrades to enhance the experience of our patients, families and staff. Already, new décor has been rolled out in several spaces that is more child friendly and modern!

With just a couple of finishing touches to go, our new Pre-Op space in the surgical suite will be opening in the next couple of weeks. The space is designed to improve the flow of the surgical process and our patient and family experience during their time with us.

The Pre-Op area is used as an introduction to the surgical process. Patients and their families are escorted to Pre-Op by one of our nurses, where their prep for surgery will take place. This includes taking vital signs, getting an ID band, changing into special “pajamas” for surgery, and meeting the staff members who will be a part of their care team.

Aside from the child-centric décor of the space, our Pre-Op space is designed to embody a child-friendly experience during what can be a stressful time for our patients and families. Surgery can be scary, but our staff is well-versed in capitalizing on the calm, playful environment to ease anxiety and fears. Our Child Life Specialist teaches our patients and families all about the operating room and encourages them to ask questions. Patients can even decorate their own anesthesia mask and play games while they wait to go into surgery!

There are several key improvements and benefits provided by the new Pre-Op space, including:

• Direct access from the waiting room to Pre-Op, which contributes to a smoother flow for patients and families.
• Added segregated space (private rooms) for increased patient safety and comfort.
• Designed to be closed off from other areas of the surgical suite, the new Pre-Op area creates a calmer environment for surgery prep.

We’re committed to excellence when it comes to our patients’ and families’ experience with us, and we look forward to continuing to improve with more positive changes in the works!