Zoe Keates, a senior healthcare play specialist at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) was selected as one of our three runners up in our Innovation Awards for developing an interactive 3D-printed model MRI scanner to support under 13s.
Research and Insights
Orthopaedic hospital’s health play specialist recognised at Starlight Innovation Awards
Starlight has been holding its first annual Innovation in Health Play Awards to recognise and celebrate inspirational healthcare professionals who have used pioneering ideas to improve children’s healthcare experiences.
Zoe, who works at the RNOH Stanmore site, said she was “over the moon” she was being celebrated for her innovation. She explained that this age group was routinely being given general anaesthetics at the hospital because doctors were concerned they could not stay still and would be frightened of the loud noise and enclosed space.
She realised play could relax and prepare children for scans when she came across a six-year-old patient who needed an urgent scan but could not be sedated for medical reasons, so she used an improvised model, using a polo mint. The scan went so well she wanted to develop this technique and the idea of a creating a 3D-printed model that children could play with was born.
An action figure or doll can fit inside the model, called ‘MR I SCAN DO IT’ and the child can select music and ‘radiographer’ voices to mimic the real-life scan. She has also used it to help adults with learning disabilities and presented it at conferences here and abroad. Her goal is to make it available to children worldwide.
Case Study
A ten-year old boy who had MRI scans regularly under general anaesthetic for a medical condition in his local hospital had been sent to the RNOH for an MRI scan for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Zoe discussed with him and his parents about helping him have his scan awake which they agreed to.
Zoe showed him her model scanner and he enjoyed playing with the remote control and watching the bed go in and out with his chosen action figure. He also loved pressing the buttons to hear the noises of the scanner and radiographer’s calming and encouraging voices. Zoe also practiced a relaxation technique with him. He was accompanied by Zoe to the scan, and he successfully managed it!
His dad said: “We know that he can now manage all his scans every year without having a general anaesthetic. I took the entire day off as annual leave but by 10am we were done and able to spend the rest of the day as a family doing something nice”.
Zoe (pictured with some of the Starlight team) was delighted she had allowed a family to spend quality time together rather than being in hospital for six hours which is the norm for a general anaesthetic and that the child would not require sedation for his future scans following such a positive experience.
She added: “It’s been quite a journey so far. I’m passionate about this project and want to make other improvements. I’ve heard so many stories from the parents of children who come to us for scans that have said the child could not go through with their MRIs at other hospitals where play was not used to prepare them.
My work preparing children has led to an 88% reduction in the number of general anaesthetics needed for children at our hospital.”
Ade Adedugbe, Associate Chief Nurse for Children and Young People Service at RNOH, said: "RNOH is delighted that Starlight has recognised Zoe’s work in developing the mini-MRI which continues to help reduce anxiety in children undergoing scans. Her dedication to ensuring children receive the very best care is inspiring and all of us are proud of her for this achievement and to call her a colleague.
“Zoe’s commitment to the quality of care to children, young people and their families across the organisation has been impactful for so many in the years. The mini-MRI has got better and better over the years – and Zoe’s not finished with it yet! We want to congratulate Zoe on her award from Starlight and look forward to what ideas she has next for helping children at RNOH, and those in other care centres.”
Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight, said: “We loved Zoe’s innovation. She identified a problem with MRIs for children and then dedicated herself to developing and perfecting an interactive tool to tackle it. We particularly enjoyed the positive language of ‘M R I scan do it too!’ Like many play-based interventions in healthcare, the MRI play model has had an impact on multiple levels, allowing faster appointments and less invasive procedures - reducing stress and risk to the child and has the bonus of allowing a more speedy and efficient processes for the NHS. It demonstrates the need for play-based solutions in other settings.”