Industry
Healthcare
Challenge
Pediatric MRI procedures present a unique challenge: the intimidating hospital environment and the MRI's requirements for stillness and parental separation can cause significant anxiety in children. This distress often leads to higher sedation rates, placing additional demand on hospital resources, increasing operational costs, and heightening the emotional burden on both families and healthcare staff. Hospitals needed an innovative, scalable solution that would alleviate anxiety, reduce reliance on sedation, and improve the overall patient experience for children and their caregivers.
Results
By implementing Buddy the Bear and a tailored digital concierge system, the hospital achieved a 4.5% reduction in pediatric sedation rates over three years. This translated to 135 children avoiding sedation, 270 parents spared the stress of sedation for their child, and considerable cost savings—$842 per MRI—alongside valuable time and staffing resource optimization. The solution enhanced patient and family experiences while supporting operational excellence in pediatric care.
Key Product
AdventHealth Celebration
Located in Celebration, Florida, a master-planned community developed by the Walt Disney World Company, AdventHealth Celebration opened in 1997 as Florida Hospital Celebration Health with just 40 beds. Over the years, it has grown into a major regional medical center, adding multiple towers and expanding services to include advanced specialties such as cardiovascular care, cancer treatment, and pediatrics. In 2019, the hospital rebranded as AdventHealthCelebration. Today, it stands as a leading healthcare destination in Central Florida, recognized for innovation and patient-centered care.The Challenge
Hospitals faced a persistent challenge with pediatric MRI procedures: anxiety and fear among young patients led to high sedation rates. The intimidating medical environment, coupled with the need for children to remain motionless and separated from caregivers, created significant distress. This not only impacted the emotional well-being of families but also strained hospital resources, increased operational costs, and placed added pressure on clinical staff to manage sedation safely and efficiently.
The Solution
Seeking a breakthrough, the hospital looked for a solution that combined innovation with compassion. After considering traditional methods and incremental improvements, they partnered with PRSONAS to deploy a concierge system featuring Buddy the Bear. Inspired by Disney's immersive approach, Buddy the Bear was specially designed to engage children through interactive technology, making the MRI experience friendly and less daunting. The personalized system offered emotional support, distraction, and guidance, helping children feel more at ease and reducing their anxiety before procedures.
The Results
The impact of Buddy the Bear was measurable and transformative. Over a three-year
period, pediatric sedation rates dropped by 4.5%, meaning 135 children avoided the need for sedation before their MRI scans. This outcome not only improved the patient experience but also spared 270 parents the stress and logistical challenges associated with sedation. Financially, the hospital realized significant savings, with an average cost reduction of $842 per MRI, freeing up staff time and resources for other critical care needs. The initiative demonstrated how innovative, patient-centered technology can drive meaningful improvements in both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.
