Rolling in style with a smile: CHUS Fleurimont pediatric patients to drive electric mini-cars to surgery

By Emilie Hackett, Special to the Record – The CHUS Fleurimont’s pediatric unit launched a new initiative allowing young patients between the ages of 4 and 9 to drive into the operation room in mini electric replicas of an Audi R8 and a Volkswagen Beetle. “Driving the mini cars helps reduce the patients’ anxiety associated with their hospital experience, and renders it more positive,” explained Hélène Rodrigue, head of the pediatric unit. “What has been observed elsewhere in Europe or in America is that it ­effectively reduces stress, which can even allow the reduction of drug doses used to relax the children before surgery. They are also calmer upon waking.” See full story in the Friday, Nov. 9 edition of The Record.