BC Children’s Hospital
In the spring of 2016, we launched a multi-phase project to bring the
In an effort to create a healthier community environment where the
Live 5-2-1-0 Healthcare Provider Toolkit
A needs assessment was conducted to gather the perspectives of hospital-based health care providers and patients and their families on current practices/experiences related to health promotion at BCCH, as well as their perceived needs related to delivering (health care provider) or receiving (patient/family) health promotion counselling during clinical encounters. This assessment included online surveys and in-person focus groups. A summary of the health care provider survey’s findings is displayed in this infographic. Based on the results of the needs assessment we developed the
Community Garden
In Spring 2024, we partnered with the Sibling Support Center to launch a new community garden at BC Children's Hospital. This garden offers children a chance to connect with nature, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress while promoting better mental health and healing. It also serves as an engaging outdoor classroom and play area for children attending the Sibling Support Centre. Children can learn about growing produce and healthy eating whilst being active. The garden features four wooden planters and two wheelchair-accessible H-shaped planters to accommodate all ages and abilities.
You can find it in the courtyard between the Teck Acute Care Centre and the cafeteria, right next to the
Live 5-2-1-0 Playbox
A
A Vibrant Space for Outdoor Play
A two-story high mural has been painted in the courtyard outside the cafeteria; right next to the
Screen Free Games in the Ambulatory Care Building Skywalk
Games are a great way to pass the time – especially when they’re screen free! That’s why five stationary signs in the skywalk between the Ambulatory Care Building and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children have been transformed into a
Four out of the five signs include question-and-answer trivia, sharing fun facts about the 5-2-1-0 guidelines, and helping to educate families passing by about the health benefits of each guideline.
The fifth sign includes a ‘spot the difference’ activity where children are encouraged to compare and contrast two illustrations. As families search the scene for different items or behaviours, they learn to identify small changes they can make to work towards meeting the
A Journey Through the Pacific North West – at the Healthy Minds Centre
A series of murals was recently installed in the main stairwell at the Healthy Minds Centre to encourage patients and families who are physically able to step up instead of ride up to different floors. The murals were created by Stó:lō, Coast Salish artist Carrielynn Victor from the community, XwChí:yóm (Cheam). The murals include elements of Coast Salish designs to reflect traditional values and stories, and were designed with input from over 60 patients, visitors, and staff to make viewers feel more connected to nature and to elicit feelings of being active outside.
The theme across the four levels is meant to reflect a journey through the ecosystems of the South Coast of British Columbia—travelling from the bottom floor at sea level, through marsh habitats, across the alpine meadow, to high altitude on the top floor.
Active floor decals
Floor decals are a fun way of turning a passive environment into an active one – kids (and adults too!) are encouraged to hop, jump, skip and play as they travel down the hallway. Vibrant west coast themed floor and glass decals have transformed the second floor hallway into an active river bank – kids can now balance on river logs, measure how far they can jump alongside frogs, or follow animal tracks to see where they lead.
Scavenger hunt
Children and families often have long waits in the hospital in between clinic appointments or while waiting for medical procedures. To provide a screen-free activity that encourages kids to actively use their bodies and minds, we’ve developed a scavenger hunt to accompany the floor decals that requires kids to find, solve, and do a number of challenges.
Staircase revitalization
Using the stairs instead of the elevator is an easy way to incorporate physical activity into your daily behaviours. To nudge more individuals to step up instead of ride up, we’ve given the open staircase in the Ambulatory building a freshen up using colorful paint and some special spirit bears.
Evaluation
Following the environmental changes in the Ambulatory Care Building, we evaluated their impact in increasing physical activity at the hospital among patients, families, and hospital staff.
After our colourful staircase revitalization, there was a 19% increase in average daily staircase use, and a 47% increase in average staircase use per hour by patients.
Five months after the installation of the floor decals, 405 children had participated in the scavenger hunt!
Check out our infographic to learn more.
We would like to thank the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for their generous support in bringing the