Our nurses participate in many activities to support our patients when they need it the most. Here are just a few ways we try to brighten spirits and ensure comfort at our facilities.
Bereavement ceremony
Nurses participating in the Bereavement Team plan a Bereavement Ceremony annually. Families of patients who had expired while receiving care at FRMC the previous year are invited to a ceremony with food, music, an inspiring message, and a time to honor their loved ones.
Music at the bedside
Patients often experience anxiety or depression when hospitalized. Music can provide a soothing, calming experience to assist the patient in coping with admission to the hospital. Rebekah Cluxton RN a clinical nurse on the Fourth Floor provides music therapy to patients through playing her guitar and singing to and with them.
Gift bags for breast cancer patients
Breast cancer patients are often anxious about their ability to cope with changes in their body images after a mastectomy. An outpatient surgery nurse obtained bags containing make-up, education, and fancy, soft, non-skid slippers for nurses to provide to patients prior to their surgeries. The bags put smiles on patients’ faces and encouraged open conversation regarding postoperative care.
Collaboration/communication
Nurses partner with patients and other members of the healthcare team to provide care.
Communication boards
Communication boards are present in every patient room. These boards allow patients, families, nursing staff, and all other staff caring for each patient to receive written information regarding the names of the persons caring for the patient that shift and key components of the patient plan of care such as mobility level, diet, tests, and patient goals.
Bedside report
During their change of shift, nurses handoff information regarding the care of each patient in the patient’s room. The practice allows nurses and patients/families to communicate and facilitate the answering of questions.
COVID-19 Response
Nurses have partnered with the healthcare team to screen and care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. To protect other patients and visitors from contracting COVID-19 and identify patients who potentially have been infected, each person entering the hospital is screened.
Nurses autonomously place individuals who screen positive for potentially having contracted COVID-19 in isolation and implement orders including lab tests. They also educated patients and families regarding prevention.