returned to the nursing station for re-use. Jeanne Weggel, APNP Palliative Care Coordinator Sacred Heart Hospital Eau Claire, WI 715-717-4543 [Submitted on: 8/20/2010 by: Jeanne Weggel, APNP [JWeggel@shec.hshs.org]]
103. Facility Signage for Patient Rooms. I work at a non-profit Catholic hospital. At least 15 years ago one of our chaplains, Sr. Julie initiated in the ICU the idea and practice that when a death occurs staff is to place a placard on the doorway - it is a postcard-size color picture of an iris in soft tones. (not associated with our hospice or with our palliative care service - it is an emblem that stands alone and for all of us who work there - we know the significance is specific to the death of a patient.) In addition, the lights within the unit are turned down. These actions serve as a vital tacit communication piece to all staff that even as we remain busy with patient care - there has been a death. Noise level is reduced if at all possible. As staff becomes aware of who has died, those who have cared for that patient and family make effort to visit and express condolences. I've seen housekeepers make special effort to console those families they have met. This practice has been taken up on the floors and now exists throughout our hospital. We instruct our medical residents in the significance of these actions. In rounding you arrive to a floor with lights low - you know immediately that a death has occurred - and quiet respectful behaviors follow. Every now and then there is an unknowing person (usually a physician) who booms out, "Why are the lights low?" - when informed there is an immediate quieting of response. I know it benefits the families of the deceased. I think it helps staff to have specific behaviors to employ at the time of a death. (It counters the helplessness we all can feel.) And then deaths impact the families/friends visiting OTHER patients in the hospital...particularly when they have befriended one another in the halls or waiting rooms - or even when the families do not know one another - these actions serve as a statement of respect. There was a learning curve - but this is now done routinely throughout our hospital - definitely preventive of staff entering the room unnecessarily - and very simple to do. Mary Martin BSN RN Manager Palliative Care Services St. John Medical Center 1923 S. Utica Ave. Tulsa, OK. 74104 Office 918/744-2930 Pager 918/646-9977 [Submitted on: 8/20/2010 by: Mary Martin BSN RN [Mary.S.Martin@sjmc.org]]
103. Facility Signage for Patient Rooms. We use a white dove for all patients on comfort care measures at end of life. [Submitted on: 8/20/2010 by: Peggy Nelson [NELSONP@trinity-health.org]]