Feb. 9, 2009

Vecta Distraction Station helps young burn victims cope

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By Colleen Flynn
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Fiber-optic cable lights change color when touched or held. Photos by Rinny Wilson, VCU Communications and Public Relations
Fiber-optic cable lights change color when touched or held. Photos by Rinny Wilson, VCU Communications and Public Relations

A severe burn can be the most painful and traumatic experience, especially when the patient is a young child, incapable of understanding pain and the healing process.

But the VCU Evans-Haynes Burn Center has a way that may help. Through a grant from the Richmond Auto Dealers Association, facilitated by the VCU Children’s Medical Center, the Evans-Haynes Burn Center has been able to purchase the Vecta Distraction Station made by TFH USA LTD.

The Vecta Distraction Station is located in the Evan’s-Haynes Burn Center at the VCU Medical Center.
The Vecta Distraction Station is located in the Evan’s-Haynes Burn Center at the VCU Medical Center.

The Vecta Distraction Station relaxes and engages the patient with multiple sensory stimulation. The mobile station features fiber-optic cable lights, a bubble column with varying colors, projected imagery, soothing vibrations and pure essential oil aroma therapy with different scents.

According to Jacob Swenson, clinical coordinator for the Evans-Haynes Burn Center, this combination, paired with music, arouses multiple senses distracting the patient and allows for quick wound care with nominal pain.

To further engross the patient, an attachable squeeze ball controller lets a patient control the bubble column.

“The station has already been used successfully,” said Swenson. “Pediatric burn care is a holistic, multidisciplinary process and the ability to complete wound care quickly and with a minimum amount of pain is essential.”

The unit will be implemented in a pain research study to determine if it helps reduce the need for pain medicine required and if it decreases recovery time.