'Ouchless' E.R.s For Children A New Trend In Health Care

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CBS4) - Any parent knows the emergency room can be a scary place for children, but now kid-friendly facilities are popping up around the country.

One-and-a-half-year-old Antonella Frausto landed in the emergency room for the first time after she put her dinner -- peas and spaghetti with meatballs up her nose.

"She sneezed it out and we were worried that she still had some in," mother Maria Salazar said.

Getting a child to cooperate in an emergency can be difficult, so Dr. Lisa Dabby designed what UCLA Medical Center - Santa Monica calls an "Ouchless ER" for kids.

"It's much easier to take care of kids when they are not screaming or thrashing around," Dabby said.

A child life specialist assists using toys.

"A lot of times the pain they receive can be alleviated through distraction or getting their mind onto something else or having them be involved in an activity," said Katie Kolbeck, Child Life Specialist.

Children tend to have more fat in their arms, so putting in an IV can be tough. Nurses use an ultrasound to make sure they get the vein the first time.

"Once you kind of poke them once they kind of get upset," Dabby said. "If you could nail it the first time everybody is happy."

Doctors also use nasal sprays to deliver medications instead of shots, and surgical glue instead of stitches when possible.

Antonella did not put up a big fuss when doctors removed more of her dinner.

"If we did not have all the other things to distract her I think she would probably have a tantrum and start crying," Salazar said.