ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The thought of getting a needle scares many adults, let alone children.
That’s why St. Luke’s University Health Network has opened several pediatric specialty labs geared toward kids, and where they can go to get bloodwork with a bit more ease.
- St. Luke's University Health Network has opened six pediatric specialty labs across the Lehigh Valley
- The labs are designed to make children and their caregivers feel more at ease when receiving services
- Parents can schedule an appointment or just walk into a lab
“Our pediatric specialty lab locations have been designed to give our younger patients something distracting to look at during their lab work and have some fun after," said Elizabeth Taylor, St. Luke's network director of outpatient lab services.
“Our phlebotomists at these sites also have new resources to use to help make this a ‘Wow,’ not ‘Ow’ experience including distraction tools, Buzzy or Lady Buzzy gadgets that have ‘special’ powers, and reward items.”
“Our phlebotomists at these sites also have new resources to use to help make this a ‘wow,’ not ‘ow’ experience."Elizabeth Taylor, St. Luke's network director of Outpatient Lab Services
Taylor said the goal is to make young patients and their families more comfortable when getting blood work done.
St. Luke’s made the spaces more comforting for families and trained staff in ways to calm children and prepare caregivers to help young patients through the process.
“These newly designed spaces help to bring down the level of anxiety and to create a more pleasant experience for both the child and the parents,” said Jessika Haynos, St. Luke's pediatric service line administrator.
There now are six pediatric specialty labs located in previously existing lab facilities.
The locations include:
- St. Luke’s West End Medical Center — 501 Cetronia Road, Allentown
- St. Luke’s Monroe Campus — 100 St. Luke’s Lane, Stroudsburg
- St. Luke’s Health Center-Palmerton — 614 Delaware Ave., Palmerton
- St. Luke’s North Medical Center — 153 Brodhead Road, Bethlehem
- St. Luke’s Center Valley Health Center — 5445 Lanark Road, Center Valley
- St. Luke’s Anderson Campus Specialty Pavilion — 2200 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton
People can also schedule schedule an appointment online to cut down on wait times, but walk-ins are also acceptable.
St. Luke’s also provides a video to parents to share with their children before they go for bloodwork.
