MINOR CHANGES, BIG IMPACT : IMPROVING SENSORY-FRIENDLY CONDITIONS IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

In order to build a more sensory-friendly healthcare system, we must understand that there is a middle ground between the standard environments of today and the full-blown multi-sensory environments we see in therapeutic practices. It would be unreasonable to expect a small medical practice to purchase potentially tens of thousands of dollars of specialized equipment and learn how to effectively operate it. For healthcare providers to see the value of becoming more sensory-friendly, it helps to understand how small adjustments to their medical environments can go a long way. Creating a common baseline expectation gives all parties more confidence in a successful appointment.

LIGHT

A majority of office environments rely on fluorescent lighting. These lights are inexpensive, long-lasting, and have long been accepted as the norm. However, these lights are highly likely to trigger a negative response in an individual with sensory needs. Before considering a large outlay on specialty equipment, examine the lighting in the space and consider full-spectrum, flicker-free LED lights. While slightly more expensive, these lights have been shown to have positive effects on individuals with anxiety symptoms, and can make a clinic more accommodating from the moment the patient walks into the waiting room.

SOUND

Medical equipment makes noise. We can prepare the patient for what type of noise to expect, but we cannot necessarily eliminate it. We can, however, make the ambient noise environment in the exam room more pleasing with something as simple as a white noise phone app. Asking the patient or the patient's caretaker in advance of the appointment what sounds they find relaxing can create a sense of calm upon entering the exam room.

FEEL

A patient must be allowed to feel secure in their body, especially in a medical setting where personal space will be encroached upon. Simple things such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, or even a favorite stuffed animal from home all foster a comfortable space where the patient's sensory needs are respected.

Not every practice has control over every aspect of the environment. Perhaps there's a shared waiting room full of sensory triggers standing between the hallway and the sensory-friendly exam room. Are there other entrances? Can the patient wait in the car until the exam room is ready and go straight there? Some providers may even have the flexibility to block a few hours for only their patients with sensory needs, so as to ensure a quieter, less crowded office setting.

There is no one right way to create an accommodating environment. The previous paragraphs provide general guidelines and will become more refined as these environments become more widespread. Of utmost importance for providers at this stage is to involve the patient and their support network in the process, to be adaptable based on patient needs, and to realize that even small steps make a meaningful difference.

tireless efforts of nurses and advocates within those institutions.

Methodist Children's Hospital in San Antonio, for example, recently redesigned its entire pediatric emergency department. Exam rooms are equipped with adjustable lights and a suite of interactive objects, and previous patient preferences are included in the medical record for future visits. Additionally, child life specialists are more involved in every step of the process to ensure understanding and comfort for both child and caretaker.

While these developments are encouraging, relying on individuals to drive needed widespread adoption will take time that individuals with sensory needs do not have.

RIPPLE EFFECTS

By increasing the number of providers who are equipped with both with the medical training and a sensory-friendly environment, we can begin to give this population something they have historically not had: a medical home.

Rather than a physical space, a medical home is a patient-centered approach that seeks to provide a patient with comprehensive, coordinated care so that care is delivered in a way that meets the patient where they are. A medical home can be a safe place for a patient with a developmental disability, building trust over time and enabling more treatment to occur in the office setting as opposed to the emergency room or under sedation.

Enabling more care to take place in a regular office setting can help reduce the trauma this population commonly experiences when receiving healthcare. As we push to better educate the next generation of providers, we must develop and promote their understanding of environmental impacts on their patients. Awareness of sensory needs are important for all patient groups, not just those with developmental disabilities. Incorporating sensory profiles into our general understanding of medical care will benefit everyone, including the staff.

The national conversation around developmental disabilities has changed dramatically. Neurodiversity is a mainstream term, and popular shows like Love on the Spectrum attempt to bring awareness to the neurotypical population. With this broader cultural awareness comes more attention to the areas where systems and historical structure have fallen short. We must take full advantage of this moment and demand inclusive, sensory-friendly care for all patients.•

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ben Hudson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sensory Health. Sensory Health is building a national network of sensory-friendly healthcare providers to remove barriers to care for patients with sensory needs.