Pain-Free Treatment – The Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital

Virtual reality (VR) glasses are a new and wonderful way to distract children’s attention from the medical procedures, soothing both fear and pain. For example, while undergoing a blood test, children can wear virtual reality glasses that transport their focus to a totally different place, creating a more pleasant experience.

VR goggles can be used for blood tests, stitches, fractures and more. Once the procedure is finished, many kids are surprised to discover it’s over, because they never even noticed that the medical process had started.

Watch this young boy experience a different reality as he is prepped for a blood test:

The motto of our medical team highlights the value of reducing pain, suffering and anxiety in children who come to Sheba Medical Center for treatment. We take great care to give the appropriate anesthetic and sedation to make our young patients comfortable and at ease. Some of our strategies include:

• Local anesthetic creams are applied prior to setting up an infusion or making an incision, promoting as painless a procedure as possible.
• Laughing gas is used when suitable, because it acts quickly and is associated with a rapid recovery.
• Expert anesthesiologists determine the right type and quantity of anesthesia to be given before prolonged operations.
• Relaxation tools and methods are used, such as virtual reality goggles.
• The child’s pain is constantly assessed in order to make medication adjustments, as needed.
• Medical clowns help to relieve children’s fear, reducing their discomfort.

For more than a decade, medical clowns have been operating in almost all of the wards at the Safra Children’s Hospital (and in other wards at Sheba, too!). These clowns do much more than look and act funny; they are an integral part of the treatment team. Their job is to reduce a child’s anxiety and pain, promoting an easier and more efficient experience for the patient, the family, and the medical staff.

How do the clowns help? By using distraction strategies, play and humor. Clowns implement a wide variety of techniques, creating a world of fantasy and role-playing – a world dictated by the child’s imagination. Each clown adapts his or her toolbox sensitively to fit the specific patient’s needs, preferences and situation.

At Sheba, our clowns participate in more than 40 different medical procedures, such as taking blood samples, accompanying patients to surgery, giving injections and staying by the side of children who require tests because they have suffered sexual abuse.

The clowns work as a part of the “Dream Doctors” project. They are experienced artists and actors who have undergone a high level of professional training in medical clowning. Many of them have developed specializations for various units, such as oncology, child development and more.

Learn all about the beneficial activities of medical clowns:

The Safra Children’s Hospital is designed with children in mind. Bright and cheerful murals lead patients through the corridors, a music room uses the power of sound to boost moods, a cinema room ensures quality entertainment, unique playgrounds are built into the ward, medical clowns bring smiles, and we offer free gifts for birthdays and other significant events.