Wrap-Around Care: How Shriners Children’s Treats the Entire Patient

This is part one of a three-part series about the specialized wrap-around care provided to all patients at Shriners Children’s. To read part two, click here.

Fausaga had plenty of reason to be upset. The 17-year-old Samoan’s biggest passion, playing football, was over – at least for the foreseeable future – as he awaited revision knee surgery on his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.

But, luckily for Fausaga, the staff at Shriners Children’s Hawai`i didn’t see him (or anyone else, for that matter) as just another name on a long list of patients. The pediatric healthcare system’s philosophy of wrap-around care considers every aspect of a child to treat their mind, body and soul in a way that’s tailor-made for them.

“We treat the whole patient,” said Helene Freni-Rogers, recreational therapy manager at Shriners Children’s Hawai`i. “It takes into consideration their physical, social, cultural and emotional well-being. It means making sure that all of our patients’ needs are met.”

Kerry Marini, M.Ed, CTC, coordinator of education and transition at Shriners Children’s Northern California, agreed that this approach is vital. “To completely heal from a traumatic injury, all aspects of treatment are equally important as medical care.”

Just as every patient who walks through the doors of a Shriners Children’s facility is different, so, too, is their wrap-around care – defined as any ancillary care received in addition to strictly medical treatment. That includes everything from traditional care (pharmacy, nutritional services, physical therapy and occupational therapy) to newer approaches (music therapy, pet therapy and aquatic therapy) to special programs (makeup clinics for burn patients, cooking classes and peer support). Birthdays and holidays are celebrated with gusto, and facilities across the country even have location-specific activities, such as surfing in Hawai`i.

Since there are so many types of wrap-around care available, the choices can be overwhelming. Luckily, providers have a tool that can point them in the right direction, said Krystal Vermillion, MOT, OTR/L, a staff therapist at Shriners Children’s Greenville. Motion analysis studies can help determine if the potential gains of a therapy are worth the negative aspects, such as potential pain, travel, time off work for parents, stress, etc. This truly tailors the care to each and every patient.

This patient-centered combination of disciplines creates a loving and supportive environment designed to help each child thrive and develop the Shriners Children’s characteristics of CARE: Confidence, Ambition, Resilience and Empathy. These qualities are exemplified by Shriners Children’s five AmazeKids.

“Successful wrap-around care helps a child cope better with their hospitalization, surgery and rehab,” Freni-Rogers said. “Their moods can be more stable, and they can feel more in control of their situation. In general, our aim in recreation therapy is to make our patients happy. Happy hearts lead to better coping and healing.”

Marini noted that patients heal more rapidly and completely when feeling and acting optimistically. “Positive behavior will enhance proper treatment, rehabilitation and recovery,” she said, leading to higher confidence as well as better coping, social and emotional expression skills.

Even just recognizing that a patient has needs beyond the purely physical can be beneficial. “When we are intentional in our efforts to acknowledge and address the psychosocial needs of children in our care, we see improvements in their overall mood, affect, confidence, self-efficacy and pain,” Vermillion said. “Even if we cannot fully address all of their concerns or needs while they are here, acknowledgment goes a long way in building trust and translates into increased compliance with recommendations and better outcomes overall."

To read part two of this series, click here.