What to Expect
We try to tailor each patient's experience to their individual needs, but here are some general guidelines on what to expect when Opus provides your anesthesia services.
Each child can select a preferred scent for their anesthesia mask. We also offer fun stickers and toys to help make the experience more enjoyable.
We offer individualized care for children with special needs, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, or other developmental delays. A way we reduce anxiety is by replacing the face mask with a unique induction balloon that incorporates a whistling mouthpiece.
We can provide a simple cartoon outline on the anesthesia balloon that your child can color in while waiting for surgery. This can help reduce anxiety and make the experience more engaging.
For older children who may have difficulty with intravenous (IV) placement, we can use a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort. We also utilize distraction techniques, such as bubbles, videos and balloon animals, to help ease anxiety during IV placement.
All of our nurse anesthetists and recovery room nurses are Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified and have extensive experience caring for children in the perioperative setting.