The Ambient Experience in Pediatric Radiology

Abstract 

Ambient experience design creates customizable environments to suit the preferences of the end user with the goal of improving life quality. The plans for a CT scanner in a pediatric hospital incorporated this design philosophy for the first time in health care and the result is called The Ambient Experience. The Ambient Experience allows pediatric patients to become playful participants as they prepare for and undergo CT scans. The resulting solution not only decreases the anxiety often sensed by children undergoing these examinations but also reduces the need for sedation thereby decreasing total nursing involvement and improving patient throughput. Ambient experience design applications are being developed in other areas of radiology.