Thursday, February 04, 2010
Kernersville, N.C. – Kernersville PrimeCare has been awarded certification by CalmerKids™, a training program that helps medical staff of emergency and urgent care facilities improve care of child patients by reducing their fear and anxiety during treatment.
“When a child is sick or injured, often the most frightening part of the experience is the visit to the doctor’s office or emergency room, as these can be places with unfamiliar people and medical equipment that be upsetting to a child,” says James Guerrini, M.D., medical director of PrimeCare. “Because of the CalmerKids training, our medical staff now has more of the skills needed to reassure young patients and deal with their illnesses and injuries in a way that makes them less afraid. Calming a child ensures that we can treat them more successfully.”
The CalmerKids Training Module was created by Petrack Consulting, a provider of emergency and urgent care consulting to emergency departments, urgent care centers and physician practices. It teaches practical skills and methods to help staff treat emergencies more quickly and easily by:
- Reducing fear and anxiety in children, as well as their parents
- Reducing the need for restraints and sedation
- Better addressing pain management
Kernersville PrimeCare recently launched an after-hours pediatric service, which provides non-emergency treatment after pediatricians’ offices have closed for the day. According to Dr. Guerrini, the CalmerKids certification is an important part of the program’s ability to meet the special needs of child patients.
“Parents can bring their children in for treatment knowing that they will be taken care of in an environment that is closer to what the child may be used to in his or her regular pediatrician’s office,” Dr. Guerrini says.
For more information about the CalmerKids program, visit ww.gocalmerkids.com.
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About Forsyth Medical Center
Forsyth Medical Center is part of Novant Health, a not-for-profit integrated group of hospitals and physician clinics, ranked 12th nationally among the 2009 Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks, according to an analysis by the SDI health informatics company. Novant staff cares for patients and communities in North and South Carolina. Hospital affiliates include Presbyterian Hospital, Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews and Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville in the Charlotte, NC area; Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC; Thomasville Medical Center in Thomasville, NC; Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, NC; and Brunswick Community Hospital in Supply, NC. The Novant Medical Group consists of more than 1,060 providers in 361 clinic locations. Other Novant facilities and programs include two nursing homes, outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers, rehabilitation programs and community health outreach programs.
