Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County Emergency department (ED) team members have been working toward enhancing the hospital experience for pediatric patients with autism. Initiatives include staff training and the creation of a sensory room in the ED.
Baptist Union County ED team members also served as grand marshals at the Autism Community Walk hosted by King Therapies Behavior Solutions in New Albany, Mississippi, on Saturday, April 12. Following the walk, participants had the opportunity to meet ED staff and tour the sensory room and an ambulance.
The sensory room includes toys and is designed to promote calm and comfort with limited light and noise for those who experience problems with sensory processing. The idea for the sensory room and training came from conversations with two team members who are parents of autistic children. They worked with Mallory Quinn, ED nurse manager at Baptist Union County, to form a team and implement changes.
The team worked with King Therapies Behavior Solutions to train team members and identify initiatives that would improve the patient experience for children with autism. Staff learned the importance of using behavior modification tools and how to move from one task to another. Team members who completed the training proudly wear autism pins and serve as autism champions.
“We are so excited about these changes and have gotten a chance to use the sensory room multiple times. It helps so much,” said Mallory.
