The WakeMed Foundation, on behalf of WakeMed Health & Hospitals and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation, are pleased to announce the addition of a new interactive virtual gaming system to entertain patients, siblings and parents in the Children’s Emergency Department lobby.

Made possible through a $25,000 grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation, the new game system developed by EyeStep uses a camera, computer, an infrared light source and a projector – all of which are mounted on the ceiling – to project an interactive display on the floor. As the sensor detects movement on the displayed area, the projector responds by changing images, animation, video and sound.

The system features a wide range of exciting games including a virtual hockey game with graphics that look like the Carolina Hurricane’s home ice, but features the Kids ‘N Community Foundation logos. There are also game programs where children can run amongst virtual puppies, stomp out germs, and much more.

Laurie Cook, manager of the Children’s Emergency Department, says, “The Children’s Emergency Department is designed with children and their families in mind, and this new game has truly succeeded at keeping children active, emphasizing fun rather than their illness. Additionally, it’s a great way to keep them entertained while avoiding the infectious disease risks that come with hands-on games.”

Cook continued, “The gaming system is the newest technology we have in the Children’s Emergency Department, including Ipods, DVis, and DVDs, that provide diversionary activities to help improve our pediatric patients’ experience.”

Doug Warf, executive director of the Kids ‘N Community Foundation, commented, “The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of kids in our community. When we learned that more than 44,000 children are seen in the Children’s Emergency Department each year, we knew we wanted to help. We are extremely pleased with the results and are certain that the gaming system will have years of use by children of all ages.”

The WakeMed Children’s Emergency Department, the first of only two children-only emergency departments in the state, is specialized in dealing specifically with the medical and emotional needs of children within a comfortable, bright, and cheerful atmosphere. In addition, the department, stocked with child-sized medical instruments and equipment, is located next to the only designated trauma center in Wake County.