Paediatric Outpatient Sedation Support Under Multidisciplinary Support (POSSUM) comprises specialist Paediatrician, Clinical Nurse, Music Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist and Social Worker services. Child centred care is provided by clinicians who are compassionate, understanding and creative in their approach to providing individualised support to children based on their own unique needs.
POSSUM Restraint-free Sedation for Kids
Initiative Type
Model of Care
Status
Deliver
Added
Last updated
Summary
Key dates
Jan 2016
Jan 2019
Implementation sites
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service
Aim
Reduce the anxiety and distress experienced by children as a result of previous medical procedure.
Benefits
Presents a non-threatening experience for the child and decreases the opportunity for a poor outcome.
Background
POSSUM was developed in response to the growing need of children presenting to the health service who had previously undergone medical procedures which caused heightened anxiety and distress. Procedural distress and be perceived or caused by, but not limited to;
- Medically complex phobias
- Anxiety
- Developmental and behavioural barriers
- Intellectual and or physical impairment
- Sensory sensitivities and preferences
Evaluation and Results
POSSUM clinic is the first of its kind in Australia and is setting a precedent within paediatric procedural care.
