Children receiving computed tomography (CT) scans at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center now enter an undersea world of bubbles, fish and an octopus.

“The kids really like them,” says Elyce Wolfgang, pediatric technical manager in the Division of Pediatric Radiology, of the new creatures that adorn the machine. “They ease anxiety and are fun and neat to look at.”

Getting kids to lay on the CT “table” for scans is half the battle, she says. Now, with these playful distractions, they’re more willing: “Once they’re there, you can keep the dialog open and talk about what they see until their imaginations take over and carry them through the exam.”

The decals on the CT machine comprise the second step of a program to make imaging equipment appear less imposing and pediatric radiology a friendlier place for children at Johns Hopkins. In that light, the first equipment to receive makeovers were the MRI and fluoroscopy machines. In a departure from a sea theme, the first went decidedly “jungle” last January, with trees, moneys, an elephant and more. A skylight above the MRI “really sets the tone, and helps kids imagine they’re looking up above a tree canopy,” says Wolfgang.

Above: Pediatric CT technologist Lory Hines shows the new decor to Luca Assante, 6.

Johns Hopkins Makes Radiology Suite More Child-Friendly