For the past several months, I have been searching for a new blog title. Nick’s Blog, NickJacobs.org, Ask a Hospital President, Taking the Hell out of Healthcare… none of them really told the story of my passion, my drive, my desire to change healthcare in a way that would be meaningful for every patient, every employee, and every physician. Finally, the idea of what exactly I believe in, try to strive for, and teach hit me: “Healing Hospitals.” Not only do I believe that we can make our hospitals healing places, I also believe that we can heal the hospitals themselves.
- Nick Jacobs, FACHE – HealingHospitals.com
For too many years, the Socratic style of teaching our docs has basically made many of them as tough as professional football players. We have experienced “The Old Guard” in nursing, where, when new nurses come on board the older nurses are encouraged to “eat their young.” We also know that the over-utilization of overhead paging, blood tests in the middle of the night, loud staff members, et al lead to what can only be described as a tense environment.
For the past 20 plus years, we have advocated a kinder, gentler hospital environment. During that time we have introduced all types of non-traditional healing environments, integrative medicine, roving psychologists, drum circles, aroma, music, pet, and humor therapy as well as the elimination of bullies from the medical staff.
These are just a few of the very effective mechanism that can be introduced to create healing environments in hospitals. Healing gardens, labyrinyths, 24 hour visiting, double beds in the OB suites, and the beat goes on and on with decorative fountains, fireplaces, skylights, balconies, but most importantly dignity and respect amongst all staff and visitors toward patients. So, “Healing Hospital” has multiple meanings. Healing will take place more quickly, thoroughly, and meaningfully in these facilities, and the entire staff will be charged with the promotion of healing by creating an overall healing environment.
Well, I’m sure if you type in nickjacobs.org or even Ask a Hospital President.com you’ll still get to us, but remember that our overall goal, our direction, our mission, our passion, and our job is to help you to create healing environments where infection rates drop, as will lengths of stay, readmision, restraint and mortality rates. Call us at SunStone Consulting, LLC. 412-992-6197.
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Seems like it should be redundant – healing hospitals – but mostly we’ve had “sick hospitals” or “sickening” hospitals. Good language change and may the actions follow the words!
Jeanne
Thanks, Jeanne, that has always been my dream! Nick
Nick,
From someone who has been over on the med-tech side of the industry for 20 years, I applaud your “kinder,gentler approach.” I have been in literally thousands of hospitals around the globe and can sense the culture (good or poor) in a very short amount of time.
Regards,
Jim Accord
Really informative
thanks for sharing an informative post
Great post , thanks for sharing the information
Because of the evidence of mental and physical health being linked together, there is also a need to find alternatives for healing. T
Nick,
Amen! It is wonderfully refreshing to hear you share what feels like the truth! The links of mind, body and soul are direct and broad. Continue the positive healing with enthusiasm!
Humor, meditation, music, improvisation, healing prayer, hand drums, reflexology, yoga, tai chi, sunlight, exercise, whole organic foods, clean drinking water. The planet is finally ready. The truth will set us all free.
Great to know you! Together, we can make a change that is sustainable.
Kacey
Many hospitals have policies against putting anything on the walls since tape will harm the paint. These policies are reasonable, but they are also very limiting–parents can’t hang up pictures or other items that would cheer up the child.
With health care comprising a significant part of the national economy and growing larger every year, hospitals need to become efficient and effective in how they take care of their own operations, their employees not to mention their patients.