Anxiety Soul A Cardiac and Child Life Initiative to Improve Pre-operative Anxiety in Paediatric Patients
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
30 January 2026
The primary aim of this study is to reduce preoperative anxiety levels and enhance the hospital experience for children. This sustainable initiative has been included as a standard service offered to patients diagnosed with atrial and ventricular septal.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 30 January 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
The primary aim of this study is to reduce preoperative anxiety levels and enhance the hospital experience for children (aged 4-10 years) undergoing cardiac surgeries, measured through a quantifiable reduction/improvement in Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scores Short Form (myPAS_SF) and Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) scores.
Background
Children with congenital heart disease and their parents often experience stress before a childs cardiac surgery. In addition to going under general anaesthesia during the surgery, they would also need to undergo blood taking and other diagnostic tests which might be uncomfortable and/or painful.
Methods
A root cause analysis was conducted, and solutions such as the creation of an SOP and developmentally-appropriate support resources were implemented. Child Life Therapist used validated assessment tools during hands-on sessions to assess patients pre-procedural and readiness scores.
Results
Data collection included observation scales, feedback, and self-reported questionnaires from patients and parents both before and after intervention. The initiative was successful in developing an SOP, improving pre-procedural anxiety and readiness scores, and has been included as a standard service.
Conclusion
This sustainable initiative has been included as a standard service offered to patients diagnosed with atrial and ventricular septal defect who require corrective surgeries. Portions of this initiative have also been adopted and translated into other clinical areas of practice.
Lessons Learnt
The initiative highlighted the importance of timely pre-procedural support and the need for developmentally appropriate resources to reduce anxiety in pediatric patients.
The social story has been digitalized to ensure continued cost-savings for families.
Keywords
Anxiety, Paediatric, Cardiac Surgery, Child Life Therapy, Pre-operative
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | KK Women's and Children's Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Patient Service Associate, Respiratory Therapy, Medical, Cardiology, Otolaryngology, Paediatrics, Nursing, Nursing Research |
Project Lead(s) | Tanuja Nair |
Project Member(s) | Amelia Tan |
Connect with this contributor!
Tanuja Nair - Tanuja.Nair@kkh.com.sg