New York, NY (MMD Newswire) June 6, 2013 -- University Health System in San Antonio recently purchased several ditto™ lites and their Child Life Specialists are using them throughout the Janey Briscoe Children's Center at University Hospital with their pediatric patients. The ditto™ lite uses pre-procedural preparation and diversionary therapy to reduce anxiety in children prior to and during otherwise stressful or painful procedures.
"We've had great success using the ditto™ with children during procedures or as a preparation tool due to the interactive component. It does a wonderful job keeping kids engaged and distracted. It simplifies the preparation process during an age where technology is craved by children! Having the stories and preparations available in English and Spanish helps us overcome the language barrier and provide services to so many of our patients," explained Jessica Tarcin, Certified Child Life Specialist at the Janey Briscoe Children's Center. The ditto™ lites are currently being used in the Pediatric Specialty Clinic, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Step-Down Unit. Nurses are also being oriented to the devices so they can use them when the Child Life staff is not available. As the Child Life team expands, they also plan to use the devices in the Emergency Clinic. Jessica added, "The children have really enjoyed using the ditto™, often not realizing that the procedure is finished! The device not only makes the procedures easier for our children but also for our doctors and nurses. We love it!"
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
University Hospital operates the only verified Level II pediatric trauma center for San Antonio and South Texas, treating more than 1,000 children suffering from serious injuries and burns last year. It is a nationally recognized academic medical center and is also consistently noted as a leader in advanced treatment options, new technologies and clinical research. Diversionary Therapy Technologies' (DTT) ditto™ device incorporates the latest research that using distraction and educational techniques simultaneously lowers stress and anxiety prior to or during a procedure. This advancement draws upon augmented reality, a multi-modal sensory-based distraction medium that combines technology and therapy. Using an interactive touch screen and an automatic response to physical movement, the ditto™ engages patients, effectively averting their attention from a possibly negative experience.
The ditto™ may look like a traditional video game console or tablet; however it is far from it. Ditto™ includes a variety of custom specific interactive procedural preparation, games and stories that are clinically tested and proven to reduce stress and anxiety by 75% (no drugs), lower treatment times and improve patient outcomes. And it is ruggedized and built for the clinical environment unlike a standard tablet or video game device.
DTT's content has been developed over the course of six years by doctors, surgeons, nurses, child life specialists, and animation teams. There are now 8 independent clinical trials that have been published regarding the efficacy of the ditto device. New procedures, games and stories are continuously being added to the range of programs available. Further information is available at www.dtt-usa.com.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
About Diversionary Therapy Technologies
Diversionary Therapy Technologies is a global company headquartered in Australia that developed the ditto™ portable device. DTT worked with The Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, to create the handheld, waterproof device that is used prior to and during painful medical procedures to reduce children's anxiety. Learn more about their expanded product line and research at www.dtt-usa.com.
About University Health System
University Health System is a nationally recognized academic medical center and network of outpatient health centers, owned by the taxpayers of Bexar County, University Health System is consistently recognized as a leader for going paperless with electronic medical records and is the first public health system in Texas to be designated as Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. University Hospital, its 498-bed acute care hospital, is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, consistently named Best Regional Hospital U.S. News & World Report and is one of just 15 Level I trauma centers in Texas. University Health System's Community First Health Plans is the region's only locally-owned, nonprofit HMO and San Antonio AirLIFE, jointly owned by University Health System, is a national leader in emergency air medical transport. For more, please go online at UniversityHealthSystem.com.
Contact: Linda Peterson Communications Manager linda.peterson@dtt-usa.com 877-741-7778 ###