Hospitals

join our mission

Partnership

Buildup STEAM partners with Child Life programs to provide bedside robotics to patients and families in the hospital. Once we determine a sanitation process that meets your hospital's standards, we identify operational areas. We have found success working with general inpatient pediatric units and Hem/Onc units.

Current Hospital Partners
Mott Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Comer Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Colorado

Fundraising

We collaborate with you and your team to write grants. Additionally, we assess if we need to seek funds to hire a staff member to operate the program, or if someone on your team can integrate this program into their workflow. Fundraising efforts are directed towards purchasing necessary materials for program success, supporting ongoing Buildup STEAM consultation, and potentially creating a new paid position to operate the program.

Infection Control

Buildup STEAM works with hospital staff and infection prevention professionals to ensure our sanitation process exceeds the standards of the hospital setting. Our sanitation process ensures all materials are sanitized before and after entering a patient's room. After materials are used they are immediately sanitized. All interactions meet standard hospital procedures and best practices to ensure every interaction is safe and fun for the patients and families we serve.

Our COVID-19 practices meet the hospital standard for medical professionals working onsite and are subject to change based on the needs and standards of the hospitals.

Launch

Once funding is secured, we procure all materials and construct the cart to be sent to your hospital. We provide training to the program coordinator to execute necessary tasks for smooth program operation and to ensure an excellent experience for patients. As part of our process, we complete a survey to record the quantity and quality of interactions, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations by not collecting personal patient information. All collected data is shared with Child Life and hospital partners to demonstrate the program's success in your hospital.

Continued consultation

Buildup STEAM provides comprehensive support to its educators through various channels. This includes thorough training sessions for Buildup Educators, supplemented by ongoing assistance via Zoom, calls, texts, and emails. A robust data capture system ensures efficient monitoring of progress and feedback. Regular monthly Zoom meetings facilitate close collaboration between Buildup STEAM employees and educators at partner hospitals, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and updates. Additionally, the organization ensures seamless integration with LEGO evolving robotics systems by providing complete updates to robots, instructions, and related materials. Unlimited replacement parts for all cart materials are offered, ensuring uninterrupted learning experiences. Collaborative efforts extend to working with Infection Control & Epidemiology departments to develop optimal protocols for cart and material sanitation. Furthermore, educators have the flexibility to incorporate customized projects into their curriculum, supported by assistance with fundraising events and access to grant resources for sustained program success.

Child Life goals & benefits

Offering a variety of therapeutic activities, our programs provide a brief escape for patients, encouraging creativity, positivity, and self-expression to enhance their well-being.

Patient well-being: Enhancing a patient's sense of control and independence.
Mobile adaptation: Facilitating access to a therapeutic creative service, overcoming barriers imposed by specific diagnoses or conditions.
Family centered care: Engaging parents and siblings equally interested in the project.
Fine motor skills: Engaging in activities like picking up, squeezing, and pushing LEGO together.
Normalization: Introducing familiar activities into the hospital environment to create a comforting atmosphere, promoting positive coping.
Socialization: Fostering bedside and group social interactions, especially crucial for patients in isolated rooms due to precaution policies.
Non-Pharmacological Pain Management: Providing a constructive focus to distract patients from pain, stress, or anxiety they may be experiencing.