Back in July 2010, I wrote about using the Candleflame app to encourage pediatric patients to take deep breaths for a pulmonary exam. This app has also been useful in helping me roughly gauge the patient's peak flow.
Trick of the trade:
Balloonimals app
What kid doesn't love balloon animals?
You can download the Balloonimals "Lite" app on your iPhone for free. Have the child blow forcefully at the mouthpiece of your iPhone. This will inflate a balloon. Shaking your iPhone will magically convert the balloon into a cute T-Rex dinosaur. Touching the screen will animate the 3D dinosaur. Touching the air pump icon will pop the balloon.
Balloonimals Lite app [iTunes app store]
For an extra $1.99, you can download the full version, which includes different balloon animals.
Thanks to Dr. Susan Brim (UCSF-SFGH EM resident) for the tip! Disclosure: I do not have any affiliations with the company.
I love using this app for the little blighters when they come into ED.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem I have come across so far is that their intense desire to blow the balloon up in the first place leads to an excessive accumulation of upper respiratory pathogens around the base of my iPhone - I eagerly await suggestions to prevent URTI transmission....
Hi Mike: Hmm, I suppose that's too much of a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI just blew into the phone through a thin napkin. The app works still! I just have to get a little closer. Maybe a 2x2 or 4x4 gauge covering the speaker end might minimize URTI transmission.
Oh, and remind me not to borrow your iPhone...