Mini Corvettes allow UPMC pediatric patients to cruise to operating room
Staff members at UPMC hope a new donation will help ease the anxiety of their pediatric patients.
The health system received some unique sets of wheels.
"A couple years ago, we heard about another organization that had done this at a local hospital in their area, and our club members thought it would be a really great idea to do it," said Karen Brickner, the president of the Central Pennsylvania Corvette Club.
This week, the club pulled up to UPMC in Harrisburg and dropped off two mini Corvettes.
Thanks to the little sports cars, young patients now have the choice to cruise into the operating room in style.
It's something clinical director Riquel Hutchinson is hoping will keep them relaxed.
"This is usually the first time that many of the children have been in this environment. They're fearful. They're scared. They're crying at times," she said.
Brickner said that just like the life-size cars, there are some pretty cool features in the miniature versions.
"You press a button, and it's got authentic engine sounds. There is a radio with a couple stations. They can control it, but then the nurse will also have an override control on it," Brickner said.
Staff members said the vehicles will make a world of difference for the patients.
"To make it a place that they're not fearful to come and know that, at times, we can actually make it a little fun for them and to reduce their anxiety. That's the overall goal," Hutchinson said.