3D interactive models of the surgery department aid familiarization
Pediatric surgery: reducing anxiety and improving workflows
Any surgical visit, whether it be as an inpatient or an outpatient, can be daunting for children and their families. Anxiety, uncertainty, and unfamiliar hospital environments often lead to procedural delays and increased reliance on sedation.
Xploro’s suite of surgical content transforms surgical preparation with engaging storytelling, educational games, and personalized learning pathways. By engaging children in age-appropriate activities and detailed explanations of what to expect, Xploro helps mitigate procedural anxiety, reduces pediatric potentially preventable readmissions, and supports a smoother overall surgical journey.
Pre-operative: building confidence and compliance
For many children, anxiety spikes well before they arrive at the hospital. Xploro tackles this head-on by offering structured interactive content and story-driven content that clearly explains what happens during pediatric surgery. Parents and children can learn about NPO (nil per os) guidelines, typical pre-op appointments, and common medical equipment, all through playful experiences using age-appropriate language. Games like “Snack Attack” reinforce fasting rules by turning them into an engaging challenge, ensuring children arrive properly prepared for their procedure. These early-stage insights boost compliance, reduce last-minute cancellations, and help healthcare professionals dedicate more time to patient care rather than repeating instructions.
Playing games helps reinforce positive behaviors such as NPO compliance
Intra-operative: comfort and familiarity in the OR
Stepping into the operating room can be one of the most intimidating moments for a pediatric patient, especially in a new and unfamiliar environment. Xploro demystifies the OR by letting children virtually explore surgical spaces beforehand. Customizable 3D avatars and child-friendly storybooks introduce them to the anesthesia team, showing how masks and monitoring devices work. Engaging “mini-adventures,” such as simulating the sedation process in a colorful dreamscape, significantly lower stress levels. This familiarity helps patients remain calmer during pediatric sedation, leading to smoother inductions and more efficient surgical workflows—key factors in improving outcomes for pediatric surgery.
Interactive storybooks help children understand the purpose of each process
Post-operative: ensuring recovery and preventing readmissions
High-quality education doesn’t end once surgery is complete. Proper post-operative care is critical to reducing pediatric 30 day readmissions and preventing complications. Xploro extends support through interactive Missions, which deliver step-by-step instructions on pain management, wound care, and activity limitations. Children can also engage with quizzes and questionnaires that confirm their understanding of these vital recovery guidelines. Parents benefit from clear direction on medication schedules and signs of potential complications, while healthcare teams receive timely feedback through the platform’s tracking tools. This ongoing engagement empowers families to manage recovery effectively at home, cutting down on pediatric potentially preventable readmissions and improving patient satisfaction.
By completing “Missions” compliance with post discharge instructions is rewarded
Xploro bridges the gaps in pediatric surgical education by combining immersive storytelling, game-based learning, and customized hospital-specific content. From pre-operative orientation to intra-operative reassurance and post-operative guidance, Xploro’s suite of engaging tools reduces anxiety, increases compliance, and equips families to manage each step of the surgical encounter. By focusing on clear, accessible information at every stage, Xploro elevates pediatric surgical care and contributes to better outcomes for patients and providers alike.
White Paper: Reducing anxiety, increasing compliance and improving operational efficiency in Pediatric Surgery: the power of effective patient education
Our new White Paper examines how solutions like Xploro are changing pediatric patient education in surgery departments. Download it now using the link below.