CHICAGO, July 30 (UPI) -- About one-third of U.S. children who need computer tomography, or a CT scan, require sedation because they can't relax enough for a successful test.
Calming children down can add six to eight hours to a procedure that can normally be completed in 15 minutes, according to Royal Philips Electronics.
Aside from being a traumatic experience for children and their families, the delay can also affect hospital productivity.
The "Ambient Experience" pediatric radiology suite at Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Chicago, designed by Philips Electronics, will use cartoons or animal themes projected on the wall and ceiling of the examination room, accompanied by music and sounds to amuse and calm children getting tested.
"A CT exam requires a patient lie perfectly still, and can be very scary or intimidating to a child," said Dr. John Anastos, chairman of the department of radiology at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
"When the child is relaxed and comfortable in their environment," he said, "the need for sedation or repeat exams is reduced, which helps keep a young patient's radiation doses to a minimum."
