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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
A
sk kids what "flavor" of anesthesia they'd like, and you'll ease
the anxiety they feel about that scary mask you're about to
make them wear.
We keep a collection of scented lip balms in our pediatric anesthesia
cart. Kids choose their favorite — bubble gum is the most popular —
and we apply a small amount inside the mask before putting it on. So
instead of that yucky shower curtain smell, kids get to drift off with
the comforting scent of cherry, strawberry, tangerine or whatever else
they've chosen. And because they actually like the smell, they're likely
to breathe deeper and increase their oxygen levels. Sure, you can buy
scented masks, but why bother, when doing it this way is easy and less
expensive?
Nick Stuardi, CRNA, MSN
Kristin L. Thompson, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Riddle Surgery Center
MAKE MINE CHERRY
Make Your Own Scented Anesthesia Masks
Media, Pa.
sandmanstu@hotmail.com
kthompson@nueterra.org
MAKES SCENTS Children calm down and
breathe deeper if they like what they smell.
