Teddy Bear Clinic Returns to UHS Delaware Valley Hospital

UHS Delaware Valley Hospital staff members were excited to be able to welcome approximately 150 third-graders to its Teddy Bear Clinic on Wednesday, November 2. The event has traditionally been very well-received by the kids and their teachers, but it is equally enjoyed by the staff. The objective is to help reduce potential anxiety children may experience if they or a loved one needed care, by having them become somewhat familiar with the sights and some of the equipment that may be used in their care.

Students from Walton, Downsville, Roscoe, Livingston Manor and Hancock all took part in the event. In the ER, Director of Emergency and Ambulatory Services, Meghan Heaphy, MSN, RN showed how a patient’s blood pressure and oxygen saturation are taken and she weighed each child’s stuffed animal. In the imaging department, all the animals had a group x-ray, and a ride through the CT machine. Nancy Fuller, radiologic technologist, also had the kids experience raising and lowering the table. Using a mannequin of a child, one of Delaware Valley’s emergency room nurses, Shawn Kauffman, RN, had the kids participate in their care. They learned about vital signs, neck braces, oxygen tanks and masks, IVs, controlling bleeding, bandaging and more.

The Walton Emergency Squad and Delaware County Sheriff’s Department also joined us for the day. Patsy DiNardo, paramedic with Walton Emergency Squad had the kids to walk through the ambulance, seeing the equipment and how it is set up. He also explained what squad members do when caring for patients and how to properly call 9-1-1 for real emergencies.

Deputy Kyle Karcher and his K9 partner, Eli, came and performed some demonstrations for the crowd. Deputy Karcher was able to show students how Eli can obey either voice or hand signal commands. He explained that Eli is trained to find drugs, but also can help find lost people, by picking up their scent from an object they touched or piece of clothing they wore. The kids also learned what to do if they get lost.

Before leaving, each student received fruit snacks and a backpack with a coloring book about not taking drugs and bullying, crayons and a frisbee.

In May, UHS Delaware Valley will hold another Teddy Bear Clinic for second graders from area schools.