Because emergency departments are important to hospital revenue, and people seek help there for many reasons, some hospitals are trying to make the ER experience more convenient for patients, according to an article on the National Public Radio website.
Some emergency departments now allow patients to schedule appointments. And others modify their care and facilities to attract a particular subset of the community — such sick or hurt children, the article said.
The waiting room of the Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., is painted in bright colors, and has round, plushy cubby holes cut into the wall for fun seating for the kids. Free slushies are available in the ER.
Nemours' ER also offers kids toys and noise-canceling headphones to help soothe nerves during treatment.
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