The Challenge: Reducing Pediatric Patient Anxiety

For children, a hospital environment is often synonymous with fear and uncertainty. Unlike adult patients, children struggle with the requirement to remain still for 15–30 minutes or longer during treatments while surrounded by intimidating medical equipment.

For the new James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital, Vidant Health envisioned a space that broke away from clinical norms. They sought a welcoming, sensory-driven environment that would use light, sound, and visuals to calm, distract, and reduce anxiety for young patients from the moment they entered the building.

The Solution: Immersive Sensory Environments

KONTEK designed and integrated a turnkey audio/video solution focused on three primary "child-oriented" environments:

1. The Interactive Wall (Outpatient Waiting Area)

To engage children immediately upon arrival, KONTEK installed a 2x2 videowall featuring a multi-touch surface mounted at a child-friendly height.

• The Experience: Kids interact with a custom-developed, responsive ocean reef animation. Sea creatures react to their touch, turning a passive waiting period into a playful, active experience.

2. Diversion Experience Rooms

KONTEK transformed four treatment/procedure rooms into immersive escapes to distract children during difficult medical tasks.

• The Technology: These rooms synchronize high-definition video content with surround sound and multi-colored wall-washing lighting.

• Custom Themes: Children can choose their own adventure, such as "Space Journey," "Coral Reef," or "Sand Story." This sensory immersion shifts the focus from medical procedures to a dynamic, imagination-filled atmosphere.

3. The Seascape Theater

A dedicated special events space was created for patients and their families to maintain a sense of normalcy and community.

• Capabilities: The theater combines HD digital cinema projection with live performance capabilities.

• Inclusive Design: For children unable to leave their hospital rooms, events like movies, musical performances, and bingo nights are live-streamed directly to their bedside.

The Results: A Different Kind of Care

The integration of these systems has had a visible impact on the patient experience. By using an "Under Sea" theme that reflects the hospital's coastal North Carolina location, the facility feels cohesive and inviting.

Crucially, the technology was designed for ease of use. All systems feature intuitive touch panel controls, allowing nursing and Child Life staff to manage the experiences without needing specialized technical AV skills.

"With the diversion rooms, you can physically see the difference you’ve made in that child’s life. You see the total relaxation of the child and their family members. There’s even some laughter and amazement. KONTEK delivered a solution with attention to all the different details, all the different senses."

— Susan Sugg, Manager of Child Life Services, Vidant Health System

Technical Highlights

• Theme: "Under sea" coastal theme across all interactive spaces.

• Interactive AV: 2x2 multi-touch videowall with custom animation.

• Atmospheric Lighting: Synchronized wall-washing lighting in procedure rooms.

• Broadcasting: Live streaming of theater events to patient rooms.

• Control: Simplified UI for clinical staff operation.