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Pediatric Sedation

1,410 views · Published 1 March 2012 · 1:36 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2012 · Science & Technology

Kathryn Davis knows what kids like. As a child life advocate with the Children's Hospital, her job is to keep kids distracted when they're undergoing lengthy medical tests.

"I'm focusing on getting them through their procedures, whether it's an IV or an MRI or a CT scan or anything in radiology."

She doesn't administer sedation or assist with the test; her focus is purely on keeping kids happy.

"My favorite is the iPad. I say part of my job is finding new apps which is always fun. Anything to keep their focus away from the actual IV stick is helpful," says Davis.

In January 10 year old Drew underwent an MRI because doctors needed to see if his pituitary gland was working.

"I was very concerned naturally because Drew has a problem with his veins where they're very deep set in and they collapse easily," says Rose Andrew, Drew's mother.

In Drew's case, they pulled out the iPad. It kept him from being stressed out while nurses found a vein and administered a sedation that would put him to sleep.

"We were all surprised that he did so well and I was so pleased. I mean I was really blown away," says Rose.

Just one more happy kid, all in a day's work for Kathryn.

"Making sure that we can do everything to foster proper development and not traumatize them in any way."

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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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Pediatric Sedation

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