New Pediatric Specialty Labs

Seven-year-old Brooklyn Lambertis, daughter of Phlebotomist Natoshia Shannon, checks out the newly remodeled kid-friendly pediatric lab on Lanark Road in Center Valley that features black-light-activated wall art designed to lower stress.

St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) continues to fulfill its promise of bringing quality pediatric care close to home, opening six Pediatric Specialty Labs.

SLUHN is the first in the region to provide this service. The Pediatric Specialty Labs opened inside existing draw sites at the beginning of February.

See Pediatric blood draw video here: https://www.sluhn.org/pediatrics/services/lab-services

The Pediatric Specialty Labs have been designed to make children and their parents feel more comfortable and less stressed when needing bloodwork. Not only is the draw space more comforting, but also the phlebotomists have been specially trained in creating a calming experience for young patients and preparing parents to support their child’s lab needs.

Elizabeth Taylor, Network Director of Outpatient Lab Services, says: “Our pediatric specialty lab locations have been designed to give our younger patients something distracting to look at during their lab work and have some fun after.  Our phlebotomists at these sites also have new resources to use to help make this a ‘wow,’ not ‘ow’ experience including distraction tools, Buzzy or Lady Buzzy gadgets that have ‘special’ powers, and reward items. All of this is intended to help make our younger patients and their families feel even more comfortable with getting their lab work done.”

Jessika Haynos, Pediatric Service Line Administrator, added, “These newly designed spaces help to bring down the level of anxiety and to create a more pleasant experience for both the child and the parents. St. Luke’s is continuing to show the community our commitment to providing the best possible pediatric care in the region.”

The Pediatric Specialty Labs are located in:

• St. Luke’s West End Medical Center – 501 Cetronia Road, Allentown
• St. Luke’s Monroe Campus – 100 St. Luke’s Lane, Stroudsburg
• St. Luke’s Health Center-Palmerton – 614 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
• St. Luke’s North Medical Center – 153 Brodhead Road, Bethlehem
• St. Luke’s Center Valley Health Center – 5445 Lanark Road., Center Valley
• St. Luke’s Anderson Campus Specialty Pavilion – 2200 St. Luke’s Boulevard, Easton

Parents are encouraged to skip the wait and reserve on-line an appointment time where available.  Appointments can be made online for the Stroudsburg, Palmerton and Easton sites. Walk-ins are welcome at all sites.

SLUHN’s obstetrics & gynecology and pediatric practices will distribute information to parents about how to prepare their child for the bloodwork and what to expect during their visit to the lab. “This can help the child and parent have peace of mind about their tests or lab process,” Taylor said.

The opening of St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Labs comes on the heels of opening the newly renovated Pediatric Inpatient Unit and St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Center, the region’s first and only free-standing facility dedicated entirely to caring for kids. The Network is also a member of the Children’s Hospital Association, a national organization of hospitals and health systems committed to pediatric health care.