Black light, art make surgical rooms magical

Kamaryn Record was quiet and shy in her bed in the CCMH Surgical Services department, waiting to have her tonsils removed by Dr. Ian Swift, Campbell County Medical Group Ear, Nose & Throat.

Then a nurse turned off the lights and magical sea creatures appeared on the walls. Kamaryn, her mom and sister immediately relaxed and began talking and laughing, admiring the paintings by local artist Heather Rodriguez.

Surgery Director Sheryl James had two of the 14 pre-operative rooms painted with special paint that reacts to black light. She got the idea from the black light blood draw rooms in the CCMH Lab. In the Surgery department, one room has an underwater theme and the other is adorned with Super Heroes.

Just like the rooms in the Lab, the nurses can attest to a complete change of mood in both patients and family members when the black lights are turned on.

“They relax and look around them,” said Sheryl. It instantly calms everyone down. The nurses have definitely noticed it, too.”

The Surgery department is always looking for ways to make patients feel more comfortable before, during and after their procedure. Children receive a ‘certificate of bravery’ and a teddy bear following their visit, and all family members are provided with a free drink and pastry from the Coffee Shoppe while waiting for their loved one.