Calif. hospital lets kids drive mini cars to surgery

Kids have a choice between a black mini Mercedes and a pink Beetle


Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, Calif., helps young patients who are anxious before surgery by giving them mini cars to drive to the operating room, according to an article on the People website.

A pre-op nurse, Kimberly Martinez, came up with the idea. She did research and found the cars have a lasting impact on young patients. 

The hospital purchased a black mini Mercedes and a pink Beetle was donated by an employee and her family. The one-seater cars are both equipped with a stereo and a collection of preloaded music and an MP3 player, which the kids can operate themselves or by remote control.

The cars have doors that open, working headlights and back-up and dashboard lights.

Read the article.



April 11, 2019


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Regulations Take the Lead in Healthcare Restroom Design

Infection-control guidance and water management standards drive earlier planning, smarter fixtures and more resilient restroom environments.


AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital Opens Expanded Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Construction began in July 2025 and included 12 new inpatient rehabilitation beds, bringing the unit’s total to 29.


HSHS and Lifepoint Rehabilitation Partner on New Inpatient Rehab Hospital in Green Bay

The 40-bed hospital will be named the Hospital Sisters Health System | Rehabilitation Hospital.


Turning Facility Data Into ROI: Where Healthcare Leaders Should Start

Better data, smarter tools and small facility upgrades can drive measurable returns, guide ambulatory strategy and improve patient experience.


Sutter Health Breaks Ground on Advanced Cancer Center and Care Complex

The new center, located on Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center campus, will feature four stories and 165,000 square feet of modernized, patient-centered space.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.