Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center lets kids 'drive' to surgery with motorized cars
January 14, 2020
Having surgery is typically a very stressful time for patients. For kids, that anxiety can be far-greater as they prepare for the unknown. To help youngsters deal with this experience, Carpet Etcetera donated two electric motorized cars to Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center to help make the journey into surgery a more positive experience.
Children can now drive themselves through the hospital corridors and arrive for surgery with smiles on their faces.
“We have been thrilled to see that the cars have lessened anxiety for both the children and their loved ones,” said Patricia Carroll, FACHE, chief operating officer of Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center. “Reducing preoperative anxiety in a natural way is always a priority in providing the highest quality of care for our patients.”
Genesis Monjes, a 3-year-old girl from North Bergen was one of the first young patients to get behind the wheel of one of the motorized cars prior to her surgical procedure. As soon as Genesis climbed into the car, she became relaxed and began smiling.
“Our team at Carpet Etcetera is proud to make this donation to make surgeries a little less daunting for children,” said Hector Genao, vice president of Carpet Etcetera, a company located in Cedar Knolls that specializes in the sales and installation of residential and commercial floors.