Vall d'Hebron incorporates a children's spatial CT scanning that reduces the radiation dose

The Radiology Service of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital has incorporated a new last generation children's CT scanning, which reduces radiation by up to 80% while maintaining image quality. The CT and the halls of the Radiology Service have been decorated with vinyl stickers set in space, under the Imatgina project, an advanced concept of humanization in paediatric radiology to improve the child's experience in diagnostic tests. The project is the result of the collaboration between the Philips Foundation, CurArte Foundation and the Radiology Service of the Hospital, and is the first to incorporate in an integrated manner three elements: setting, education and "gamification".

Dr. Manel Escobar, Head of Paediatric Radiology at Vall d'Hebron Hospital, explains that "the indications for a CT scan in children are very strict because they have more years ahead to accumulate radiation and, therefore, more risk of cancer ". However, with the new device, the physician says that "we will be able to significantly reduce radiation doses, providing greater security to paediatric patients."

Specifically, the CT scan is the iCT 256 Philips model that allows, through the technology called "Iterative Reconstruction", be used in paediatric testing. Its quality and accuracy in the image had not been seen before, using 'ultra low dose' protocols, close to a simple chest x-ray.

The new CT has been installed in the Maternal and Child Hospital to avoid having to displace under-age patients to the General Hospital and to recreate an environment that enhances the user experience. The CT scan nevertheless, will operate 24 hours, and will also be used by adult patients.

Imatgina

Imatgina is based on three key pillars: education, "gamification" and setting, established after consulting the views of both families and medical professionals at the centre. The intervention areas are the areas of paediatric radiology and ultrasound, including access corridors to the various areas of consultation and CT machine, turned into a spaceship.

This initiative aims to improve the experience of children who come to be radiologically tested in a friendly environment that removes the uncertainty and fear that usually are associated with such interventions, not only for young patients but also for their parents and caregivers.

Since its commissioning, the project has reduced by 75% paediatric patients sedations.

Scankids, an app to know what they will do to me

A key element of Imatgina is the information and education for the patient. In this sense, ScanKids was designed , a 'gamified' application for children between 6 and 12 years. The objective of the application is to know what to expect from the test, and lose the fear of it. The app teaches them, with terms that are understandable to a child audience and 3D animations of the rooms and of the radiologic imaging technology, what steps must be followed at all times and what to expect from each test.

ScanKids includes the five commonest diagnostic image tests for children in a hospital: X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and remote control. The kids, guided by their parents, caregivers or healthcare professionals, have to choose the test and the anatomical area to be analysed. From that moment, a character, a girl or a boy, accompanies them in all steps. After the explanation of the tests, there are two games related to anatomy that allow them to be entertained and learn.

The children and their parents will have information from the time of the appointment, and will be able to download the app for both Android and iOS, in Spanish and Catalan.

A trip to outer space

It is also key the atmosphere of the waiting room and the CT room itself, based on the characters of the application and using graphics and colour light. It is the first to have this concept comprehensively.

The theme chosen for abstracting the children of the white walls and cold lights of a typical hospital has been the space. They have created illustrations that carry them to a galactic adventure in which they, along with the characters in the game, become astronauts to conquer their welfare. The CT scan becomes itself a spaceship that, combined with intelligent lighting in the room, makes the child experience something magical and spectacular.

A collaborative project

The Institute for Diagnostic Imaging (IDI) of Vall d'Hebron Hospital has been in charge of purchasing the children's CT scan, and the rest of the project has been fully funded by the Philips Foundation and developed by the CurArte Foundation, with the knowledge professionals in the Vall d'Hebron Hospital and the more than 100 years of Philips experience in the health area and lighting.

The chairman of Philips Foundation, Ronald de Jong, assures that his foundation is proud to partner with Vall d'Hebron and CurArte Foundation to create solutions "that are truly significant and have an impact on the lives of people". By using innovative design and the "gamification", de Jong hopes to "enhance the experience of younger patients and their families in the hospital in times that are usually uncertain".

For its part, the director of the CurArte Foundation says that the opportunity to carry out this project with two partners with the prestige and knowledge as the Philips Foundation and the Vall d'Hebron Hospital "make this project unique and a milestone in the humanization of health care. "