Wraparound Care Comes Full Circle

Keiki (children) receiving treatment at Shriners Children’s Hawaii experience “wraparound care,” where a comprehensive and collaborative clinical team works to address the unique needs of each child and his or her family beyond the child’s presenting condition.

“With wraparound care, we treat our patients holistically and involve family members as part of the process,” said Paulette Nakamatsu, RN, manager of inpatient services. “A child presenting with scoliosis may need mental health, nutritional, physical or occupational services. When these or any other issues are identified, we can often take care of them entirely within our hospital.”

Paulette can personally relate. Her daughter, Nicole, was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 10 and experienced wraparound care at Shriners Children's Hawaii. “Over the course of her treatment, Nicole built special bonds with her physician and our staff,” said Paulette. “They motivated her to embrace her scoliosis and as a result, she felt empowered, which kept her smiling, dancing and moving forward.” The ohana environment motivated her in yet another way. “Her experience at Shriners Hospital inspired her interest in medicine. She will be graduating from medical school this summer and aspires to care for her patients just as she was cared for at Shriners Hospital, with compassion and aloha,” Paulette said proudly.

Wraparound care reduces patient and family anxiety, and helps them feel like they’ve contributed to their care experience. “Seeing keiki get better every day and hearing parents thank us is gratifying,” said Paulette. “The true reward is that we can make a difference in their lives no matter how straightforward or complex their condition may be.”