Car Seat Loaner Program

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Trauma Services: Car Seat Loaner Program

Loaner Car Seats For Patients With Spica Casts

Generously Supported By Kohl’s Cares for Kids® Program
*Car Seat Options

Your child may require a spica cast to correct developmental dysplasia of the hip, hip instability due to Down syndrome, or a femur or pelvic fracture from a traumatic injury.

To arrange safe transportation home:

Call your orthopedic surgeon or the surgeon’s staff ahead of time.
Ask how wide the cast it will be, and how much it will bend at the knees.
Consider if the child in a spica cast can fit in a conventional car seat.
Depending on how the cast is made, sometimes a small baby may fit into a car bed.

If your child will be in a spica cast following orthopedic surgery and needs a car seat, you may arrange to pick one up from the Trauma services. Learn more about the types of child passenger safety devices available for children in spica casts below.

Reservation Policy: Please reserve 1-2 weeks ahead. Contact the Trauma Department office at least a week or two prior to the scheduled surgery to reserve a loaner seat. Supplies are limited and the Trauma Department cannot guarantee a loaner will be available.

Learn more about the types of car seats available for children in spica casts below.

Pick-up Procedure:
Please come to the Trauma office and sign the letter of financial responsibility. You will be given guidance on how to install the seat correctly and resources to have the seat checked for correct installation.

Return Procedure
You must return the seat to the Trauma office (or to the Emergency Department if Trauma is closed) at the time of your Orthopedic follow-up appointment. Please do not plan to leave the car seat in the Orthopedic department.

Options
Other options for transport are the Naina Airway car seat, an E-Z-ON vest or a car bed for a small baby. Depending on the size of the child and cast, a child may fit in their own car seat.

Contact: Bonnie Lovette, RN, MS, PNP, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Trauma Services
Phone: (510) 428-3045

Car Seat Loaner Options For Children In Spica Casts


Hippo Car Seat	Alternative Options:	E-Z-ON Vest
Guidelines:		Guidelines:
The Hippo will fit a child who weighs 5 lbs - 65 lbs and up to 49 inches height. The Hippo is available at www.snugseat.com, and www.adaptivemall.com. Hospitals or other institutions may purchase the Hippo from: Prevention Alternatives: 1-(517) 927-7731.	Any convertible seat that has lower sides and a wider front may accommodate a spica cast. For example, the Nania Airway car seat (shown above) can semi-recline and has low sides. The Nania Airway car seat was discontinued in 2006. The Airway car seat may be available through the loaner program. Also a small baby may fit into a car bed, depending on how their cast is made.	*(Upper weight limit refers to casted weight.)** The modified E-Z-ON vest accommodates children: Ages 2 - 12 years Weight - 20 to 100 lbs.* When using the modified E-Z-ON vest for children in spica casts, the child must travel lying down in the rear seat of the vehicle. Model Guidelines: Model 101M2 fits children better who are 5-12 years old, 65-100 lbs.* Model M203-XS fits snugger on children 2-5 years of age, 20-65 lbs.* See www.ezonpro.com for referral to a distributor in your area. Hospitals or other institutions may purchase the modified E-Z-ON vest from: Prevention Alternatives: 1-(517) 927-7731.