Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
The IPA Foundation committed $50,000 to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation in August. This money will be used to fund two dialysis bays described below.
KIDS’ KIDNEY CENTER
Kidney disease affects thousands of children across the United States each year.
The impact of this disease on the life of a child is enormous and often devastating. If
left undiagnosed and untreated, kidney disease can result in ongoing dialysis or
transplantation, and in some cases, ultimately death.
Central Florida lacks a dedicated pediatric inpatient and outpatient dialysis center. Arnold Palmer Hospital’s vision is to create a Kids’ Kidney Center that will serve as a medical home for these complex cases.
Our Kids’ Kidney Center will bring together registered nurses, dialysis technicians, social workers and Child Life specialists in a childfriendly, family-centered environment.
Children will receive care more quickly, feel a greater sense of control, and benefit from the comfort and strength found in being with other children and families who share similar experiences.
Dialysis Bay
The heart and soul of Arnold Palmer Hospital’s Kids’ Kidney Center will be found in the Treatment Room where a multidisciplinary team of specially trained registered nurses, dialysis technicians, social workers, and child life specialists will care for both inpatients and outpatients in a child-friendly, family- centered environment.
The Treatment Room will consist of seven Dialysis Bays, each containing large, comfortable, reclining chairs from which to receive their dialysis. The Dialysis Bays will open to a central location for easy monitoring by staff, yet separated by curtains to allow children the choice of being social or private as their mood dictates. Children will also be able to enjoy movies, games, and books from their Dialysis Bays, in addition to the cheerful, nurturing support of all there.
Integrating inpatient and outpatient dialysis services in the new Kids’ Kidney Center will ensure continuity of care and improve clinical as well as psychosocial outcomes for children. Children will receive care more quickly, feel a greater sense of control, and benefit from the comfort and strength found in being with other children and families with similar experiences.