NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona Burn
Center at Maricopa Medical Center will now be using Diversionary
Therapy Technologies' (DTT) innovative ditto™ device for pediatric
patients in their Burn Unit. Avnet, Inc. awarded sponsorship
of the ditto device to Maricopa Health Foundation in November and
the gift was recently deployed.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120124/NY41361LOGO-b )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120124/NY41361-a
)
"At Avnet, our charitable giving goals support children's
issues, education and technology. Supporting the Maricopa
Health Foundation request for funding for the ditto™ device, which
is an interactive technology than can help children understand
their medical procedures and reduce their anxiety, was an easy
decision for us. Burn Centers provide critical services for
patients during a time that can be very traumatic, so making this
grant to the Pediatric Department at the Arizona Burn Center is
even more rewarding," stated Teri
Radosevich, Vice President - Community Relations at Avnet,
Inc.
DTT's ditto™ device incorporates the latest research that using
distraction and educational techniques simultaneously lowers stress
and anxiety prior to or during a procedure. This advancement draws
upon augmented reality, a multi-modal sensory-based distraction
medium that combines technology and therapy. Using an interactive
touch screen, colorful marker keys and an automatic response to
physical movement, the ditto™ engages patients, effectively
averting their attention from a possibly negative experience.
"We are excited to incorporate the ditto™ into our patient care
routine," said Ruth B. Rimmer, PhD,
Developmental Psychologist at the facility. "Using the ditto™ to
ease anxiety in pediatric patients is not only helping to improve
the child's long-term outcome but helpful to clinicians so they can
best perform a procedure."
The ditto™ looks a lot like a traditional video game console and
includes a variety of interactive games, stories and procedural
preparation tools. The handheld, waterproof device is portable and
easy-to-operate for children of all ages. Unlike commercial video
game devices, ditto™ is proven to reduce stress and anxiety, lower
treatment times, and improve patient outcomes.
Lori LeSueur, a Child Life
Specialist at the Arizona Burn Center explained, "The ditto™ offers
a quality combination of education, engaging games, and appealing
stories to enhance children's understanding and coping with the
hospital stay." She adds, "The easy navigation of this
device, by children and adults alike, in both wet and dry
procedural environments make it an asset to any facility. It is an
unparalleled tool in pediatric patient care."
Doctors, surgeons, nurses, play specialists, and animation teams
developed the ditto™ over the course of six years and subjected it
to more than eight independent clinical trials that have
demonstrated its effectiveness. New procedures, games and
stories are continuously being added to the range of programs
available, as DTT continues to work with experts to establish fresh
content.
About Diversionary Therapy Technologies
Diversionary Therapy Technologies is a global company
headquartered in Australia that
masterminded the development of ditto™ portable device.
DTT worked with The Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, to create the handheld, waterproof
device that is used prior to and during painful medical procedures
to reduce children's anxiety. Learn more at www.dtt-usa.com.
About Arizona Burn Center at Maricopa Medical Center
The Arizona Burn Center was founded by Dr. MacDonald Wood in 1965, and has grown from a few
beds set aside for burn care, to our current, specialized unit of
37 beds, expandable to 47 of which 19 can be used for intensive
care, if necessary. The Burn Center serves all of Arizona and receives patients from many
surrounding states and Northern
Mexico. This makes the Arizona Burn Center the second
largest in North America. More
information can be found at www.azburncenter.com.
About Maricopa Health Foundation
The Maricopa Health
Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and an integral
part of the culture, care and service at Maricopa Integrated Health
System. The mission of Maricopa Health Foundation is to provide
philanthropic support of Maricopa Integrated Health System
programs, education, research and capital improvement projects that
advance patient welfare and improve health care in the community.
More information can be obtained at
www2.mihs.org/foundation/mhf/index.html.
About Avnet, Inc.
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the
largest distributors of electronic components, computer products
and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet
accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading
technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing
cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet
generated revenue of $25.7 billion.
For more information, visit www.avnet.com.
SOURCE Diversionary Therapy Technologies