Kids Health Day: one community hospital's approach to health education for families

This paper describes a health fair for children and their families that is designed to decrease children's fear and apprehension about being hospitalized either as inpatients or outpatients; introduce hospital departments, personnel, equipment and tests to children in a non-threatening atmosphere; teach children about good health and safety, and encourage them to use sound health processes. The sponsor, Kennebec Valley Medical Center, is a 165 bed community hospital in Central Maine which serves a primarily rural population base of approximately 70 000 people. The planning process is discussed, activities and events are highlighted, and financial and promotional caveats and examples are provided. Screening data are presented, along with their outcomes, and evaluation instruments and findings also are discussed. Kids Health Day received a 1994 Blue Ribbon Award from the New England Healthcare Assembly.