The KT Kids service
Ketterthill is committed to promoting everyone’s health on a daily basis. Children deserve special attention. That is why Ketterthill has created KT Kids.
A service designed to ensure a smooth transition for your children
KT Kids is a service dedicated to children, providing clinical testing in a suitable, welcoming environment, with staff specially trained in paediatrics who are committed to the children’s well-being and treat them with respect.
With KT Kids, the child is at the heart of everything we do. Our teams support the children so that they feel reassured, and so that their visit to our laboratory remains a positive experience. In our KT Kids centres, everything is done to make this a calm experience: a dedicated, fun and colourful space, a world centred around our little hedgehog Igel, our mascot, and teams trained to support the youngest children with gentleness and kindness.
The idea is simple: to welcome the child and their parents into a pleasant environment, to ease any fears about the sample collection, and to make this a brief and positive experience so that the child leaves feeling proud of themselves, with a small souvenir and a certificate.
Hello, my name is Igel!
I’m the children’s new friend in our laboratories.
I’m here to support you during tests, especially when having blood taken. You know, sometimes the needle might look a bit scary… but it’s not really.
Just like me, the teams look after the children gently and carefully, taking the time to support them every step of the way. I’ll stay right by your side, and even when it pricks, it can go smoothly.
Where can you find us?
KT Kids is our way of caring for children differently – gently and calmly, without compromising on medical standards. Six of
our centres now offer the KT Kids service:
Why have a dedicated service for children?
For a child, having a blood test is never a trivial matter. The laboratory is an unfamiliar place, the procedure can be daunting, and things often happen a bit too quickly for them.
Every child reacts in their own way. But generally speaking, there is a certain apprehension about the unfamiliar surroundings and the technical procedure. It was this observation that led to the creation of KT Kids.
The idea is simple: adapt to the child, rather than the other way round. Take your time, use the right words, create a more reassuring environment and carry out the blood test using an approach designed with the child in mind.
What sets KT Kids apart is that it offers support tailored to young children and their parents, so that the child can approach the blood test with calm and confidence.
What happens during a KT Kids visit?
A KT Kids tour follows a simple structure, designed to ensure that children feel supported at every stage.
1. Reception in an adapted space
On arrival, the child is welcomed into a space designed especially for them, featuring a colourful, reassuring visual environment and games to keep them entertained whilst they wait.
2. Care by a trained professional
The sample is taken by a phlebotomist trained in paediatrics, who takes the time to explain things clearly and build trust.
3. Taking the sample
The procedure is carried out using techniques suitable for children, taking care to make the procedure as comfortable as possible and remaining attentive to the child’s reactions and well-being.
4. A positive end to the journey
After the blood sample has been taken, the child receives a small soft toy and a certificate to recognise their bravery and ensure they have a positive memory of the experience.
How can you prepare your child for a blood test?
Preparing your child means, above all, helping them understand what is going to happen, without making a big deal of it.
Simply explain
Tell him, in words appropriate to his age, that we're going to take a tiny bit of blood to help the doctor see how his body is working.
The anaesthetic patch
You can ask your doctor to prescribe an anaesthetic patch, to be applied 45 minutes before coming to the centre.
Sampling on an empty stomach
If the blood sample has to be taken on an empty stomach, you and your child can choose a special snack to give them as soon as the sample has been taken.
Remain honest, while reassuring
Yes, he may feel a little discomfort, but it won't last long. The most important thing is to tell him that he won't be alone and that you'll be there with him.
Show him he can do it
Children react a lot to the way things are presented. Valuing them, telling them they can do it, often changes their perception.
Keep a calm attitude
Your calmness will help them feel secure. Children feel your emotions: it is essential that the person accompanying them is calm and serene.
Bring a familiar landmark
A cuddly toy, a toy or something they love can really make a difference. If your child is under 2 and still suckling, remember to bring a bottle, soother, etc.
In all our centres, we focus on the children
Even outside KT Kids centres, our teams welcome children with the same high standards of care and the same level of attention. Samples are taken in accordance with appropriate protocols by trained professionals who take the time to support each child with gentleness and patience.
The aim remains the same: to ensure reliable sampling conditions, whilst making sure the experience is as straightforward and reassuring as possible for the child and their parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
All the answers to any questions you might have about the KT Kids service.
What is KT Kids?
KT Kids is a service offered at selected Ketterthill Laboratory centres to collect samples, particularly blood samples from children, in a child-friendly environment, with staff trained in paediatrics.
Find your nearest laboratory: our laboratories
Who is KT Kids for?
KT Kids is designed for children who need to have a blood test, a nasopharyngeal swab or a urine sample taken on medical advice, regardless of the type of test required.
Where can I take advantage of the KT Kids service?
The KT Kids service is available at six of our centres: Belval, Differdange 2 Technical Centre, Esch Gare, Luxembourg – Kirchberg, Luxembourg – Gare and Rédange. These centres have been fitted out with a dedicated area for young children to help them feel at ease.
Find your nearest laboratory: our laboratories
Do I need a prescription for a child's blood test?
A prescription is not required, but it is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor so that they can prescribe only the tests necessary for your diagnosis. Without a medical prescription, the costs are not covered by the CNS.
Does the KT Kids service change the analyses carried out?
No. KT Kids has no bearing on medical tests prescribed by a doctor. It is a specific support service designed to improve the child’s experience during blood sampling at the laboratory.
How does a blood test with KT Kids work?
The child is welcomed into a child-friendly area within our laboratory, looked after by our trained staff, and the blood sample is then taken using techniques suitable for children.
How can you reduce a child's stress before a blood test?
To help children feel less anxious about having their blood taken, it is advisable to explain the process in simple terms, to stay calm, to bring along a comforting object, and to reassure the child. Our child-friendly premises and our KT Kids phlebotomists also help to put both children and their parents at ease.
Are professionals trained to deal with children?
Yes. Our phlebotomists who take blood samples at KT Kids have undergone specific training in paediatric phlebotomy, covering both technical procedures and communication skills tailored to children.
Is a blood test painful for a child?
Having a blood test as a child can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is quick. The techniques used in medical laboratories minimise any discomfort as much as possible.
You can ask your doctor to prescribe an EMLA anaesthetic patch, to be applied to the vein 45 minutes before coming to the centre. For our part, we do everything we can to make the experience as calm as possible: relaxation, distraction – our professionals have developed a comprehensive set of skills to support your child.
Can I accompany my child during the blood test?
Of course, having a parent or a trusted adult there to provide reassurance and comfort is a great help to your child. It helps them feel safe and supported. We highly recommend it.
How should the anaesthetic patch be applied?
The patch must be centred over the vein visible in the crook of your child’s elbow. It must be applied 45 minutes before arriving at the centre, as it needs to be in contact with the skin for one hour to be fully effective. It remains effective for a further 1 to 2 hours.
If you have difficulty locating the vein, please feel free to come in with your child a few days beforehand so that a phlebotomist can have a look and show you the correct spot. This is also a good way for your child to get a first taste of the laboratory.
What are the main illnesses sought in children?
The doctor will order appropriate tests based on your child’s clinical symptoms: allergy testing, screening for infectious diseases, investigating the cause of stunted growth, testing for coeliac disease…
Is the sample a capillary sample?
No. The capillary blood sample recommended for young children has its limitations: not all tests can be carried out using this type of sample. We take a blood sample from a vein so that we do not have to take multiple samples. Our phlebotomists are trained and experienced in taking these samples from very young children.
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