Empowering Children in Their Own Care
Empowering Children in Their Own Care
Empowering children in healthcare is crucial because it helps them to develop a sense of autonomy and independence, which are important for their physical and emotional development. When children are involved in their healthcare decisions, they are more likely to comply with treatment plans and take responsibility for their health. This, in turn, leads to better health outcomes and a more positive healthcare experience.
Additionally, empowering pediatric patients can also improve the quality of care they receive. When children are involved in their healthcare decisions, they are more likely to provide valuable insights about their symptoms and concerns, which can help healthcare providers develop more effective treatment plans.
In summary, pediatric patient empowerment and engagement are essential for improving the health outcomes and overall well-being of children. By involving children in their healthcare decisions and providing them with age-appropriate tools and resources to manage their health effectively, leading to better health outcomes and a more positive healthcare experience.
Salama Friends Program
Salamah Friends Program
The Saudi Patient Safety Center has prepared Salamah Friends Program, which aims to empower children and raise their level of safety awareness.
The program included a series of video episodes with different topics in the field of patient safety, addressed to children in the primary stage through a cartoon character named "Salamah". The program aims to promote and disseminate safe health practices to achieve the safety of children, represented in introducing the child to the concepts of patient empowerment, medication safety, infection control and how to act in the event of a medical emergency.
Salama Friends program is aligned with the World Health Organization Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030, in achieving one of the plan's strategies, which is to educate patients and their families, involve them in self-care, and enable them to make joint decisions by developing a specific curriculum for children of school age, believing By involving the child in the early stages, it will contribute to changing the culture of the next generation on the concept of involvement in health care, from recipients of health care to active participants.
Program Goals:
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Promote the concept of patient safety for the child.
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Raise the child's level of awareness in several aspects about patient empowerment.
You can watch all Salamah friend episodes by
click here Child’s Role in Preventing Infection
Child’s Role in Preventing Infection
Children are exposed to infectious diseases, and their prevalence increases during school season, which is easily transmitted through infection, such as respiratory diseases (colds), the most common of which is flu. Therefore, it is important to help them take care of themselves.
Children can play an important role in infection prevention in hospital settings, at home, and in school.
In hospital, children can be empowered to help prevent infection in hospitals by becoming active participants in their healthcare. Healthcare providers can engage children by providing age-appropriate information about the importance of infection prevention and teaching them how to practice good hygiene.
Children can also be encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns about their healthcare, which can lead to more effective infection prevention strategies.
Additionally, children can take an active role in infection prevention by washing their hands regularly, wearing masks, and following other infection prevention protocols. By empowering children to take ownership of their healthcare and encouraging them to practice good hygiene, we can help prevent the spread of infection in hospitals and create a safer environment for all.
At home, children can help prevent the spread of infection by washing their hands regularly, covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and avoiding close contact with family members who are sick.
In school, children can help prevent the spread of infection by staying home when they are sick, washing their hands regularly, and avoiding close contact with classmates who are sick. By taking these simple steps, children can help protect themselves and others from the spread of infection and promote a healthier community.
The Saudi Patient Safety Center is keen to empower children by introducing them to healthy concepts, principles, and procedures, with the aim of enhancing the child's role in reducing infection through a series of awareness videos in infection control.
Your child can now benefit from infection control education materials.
Medication Safety for Children
Medication Safety for Children
Children can play an important role in preventing medication errors by becoming knowledgeable about their medications and taking an active role in their healthcare. Children should be encouraged to ask questions about their medications, including the name of the medication, the dose, and any possible side effects. They should also be taught to read medication labels and instructions carefully, and to ask for help if they do not understand something.
Parents and caregivers can also help prevent medication errors by keeping an up-to-date list of all the child's medications, including their names, dosages, and times. This list should be shared with all healthcare providers who are involved in the child's care, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Parents and caregivers should also make sure that they understand the medication instructions and are giving the medications at the correct times and in the correct dosages.
By empowering children to take an active role in their healthcare and providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to prevent medication errors, we can help ensure that they receive safe and effective treatment.
Contribute to your child's safety and show them Salamah Friends episodes about medication safety.
Activating Child’s Role in The Hospital
Activating Child’s Role in The Hospital
While they are in the hospital, children may feel fear, anxiety, or unwillingness and shyness to talk to the doctor. However, good communication with the doctor is one of the elements of patient safety, where the medical staff in hospitals are ensuring that patients understand their health condition.
To achieve child safety, there are steps that can be taken to engage and empower children in the health sector, here are some of them:
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The medical staff should use appropriate language that is easy to understand when communicating with children. Explaining medical concepts and procedures in simple terms and using visual aids such as models or diagrams to aid understanding, if any.
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Involving the child in taking and making decisions related to their health.
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Listening to the child's concerns and encouraging them to question and participate in defining his health goals.
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Find and enhance the child's strengths to enable them by highlighting their strengths and abilities and encourage them to play an effective role in their care. For example, encouraging them to take their medication as prescribed, participating in physical therapy exercises, or helping to manage their chronic condition.
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Use games or simple activities to help reduce stress and anxiety during medical procedures.
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Provide education and skill-building opportunities: Help children develop a sense of control over their own health by teaching them about their medical conditions, treatments, and medications. Encourage them to learn about healthy habits, such as good nutrition and physical activity.
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Foster a supportive environment that promotes participation and empowerment. Family members, friends and health care providers should support the child's involvement in their care and decision-making.
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The family should involve and empower the child through open communication and collaboration between the family, the health care provider, and the child.
You can now enhance your child's role in healthcare by sharing and showing Salamah Friends videos below.
Child Role In Emergency Situations
Child Role In Emergency Situations
Children can play a crucial role in health emergency cases, both in terms of their own health and the health of others. In an emergency situation, children should be taught to stay calm and follow the instructions of adults, whether parents, health care providers, or teachers at school. They should also be encouraged to seek help if they or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency.
One important aspect of emergency preparedness is knowing when to call an ambulance (997). Children should be taught to recognize the signs of a medical emergency, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, and seizures. They should also know how to dial emergency services (997) and communicate their location and the nature of the emergency clearly.
By empowering children to take an active role in health emergency cases, we can help ensure that they receive timely and appropriate medical care. Children can also play a vital role in helping others who may be experiencing a medical emergency, by seeking help and providing assistance until healthcare providers or emergency responders arrive on the scene.
In summary, teaching children how to respond in health emergency cases and when to call an ambulance is crucial for their own safety and the safety of those around them.
You can now enhance your child's role in healthcare by sharing and showing the video below.
First Aid kit
SPSC in collaboration with Saudi Red Crescent created a video that explains some emergency cases and when to call an ambulance (997).
When to call 997?