Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont: The Vermont Health Plan Provides Teddy Bears to EMTs


			The Vermont Health Plan Provides Teddy Bears to Kids in Crisis Through the Bear Hugs^sm program, The Vermont Health Plan (BCBSVT's HMO affiliate) donates teddy bears to children who are ill or injured. Ambulance services and emergency medical technicians throughout Vermont will use the teddy bears to provide comfort and support to children in trauma and other emergency situations. While the children focus on the bear, the emergency staff will be able to do their jobs more efficiently. Emergency workers say that, in times of crisis, children respond positively to the familiar comfort of a teddy bear. The bears can also help open lines of communication between the caregiver and the child. Emergency personnel can use the bears in treatment, to help determine a child's injuries or to demonstrate procedures in a non-threatening way. For example, caregivers can show the child how they are going to take the child's blood pressure by demonstrating on the bear first. This can ease the child's fear and help him or her comply with treatment. If you would like to sign up your ambulance service for this program, simply fill out our Bear Hugs order form.