Is there a connection between the atmosphere one is in when ill and the ability to recover quickly? Yes, there the needs of the physical body, but what about mental needs? It has been noted that certain colors allow for better learning environments, another simple way to enhance the bodies ability to recover is with music therapy. Do hospitals consider these aspects of healing and create an atmosphere with mentally soothing surroundings? Do hospitals promote healing? What needs to change?

I notice a lot has been changed in the Maternal Child care. Home like deliveries, making the mom and family feel more like a natural atomosphere. I think it really works but it shouldn't stop there do all floors with some type of soothing healing settings. Especially having fountains and warm settling colors in each room that would be nice. Like a semi spa!!!!!!!

Definitely not.

I can't tell you how many times I've explained to exhausted, irritable patients that "the hospital is simply not the best place to get some sleep." A lot of pts. have no idea that as an inpatient admission, they will probably not get more than 4 hours of sleep before a PCT does vs, or a nurse comes in to assess them, or a meal, visitor, doctor, test, or rehab person is in the room tp do something.

This is partly because of aggressive ATC medical therapies, short staffing, and a decentralization of hospital services.

(By that I mean, deliberately shorter hospital stays, with continued care through Home Health, SNF's, Rehab Centers, in addition to care via outpatient basis.)

Whatever the reason, I am observing that today's hospital's primary purpose is to STABILIZE the person so that they can go home and be healed.

Nurses have difficulty with this business philosophy because nurses are interested in HEALING, and will incorporate more than medical stability into their definition of wellness.

(JMHO, off the top of my head.... )

Well said, Sleepyeyes! I agree with you 100%.

Yes!!!! But is depends on where you work. I work in a Planetree facility. http://www.planetree.org It is amazing the type of environment that we work in. There is light music that plays overhead throughout the day, we have beautiful paintings in each room for the patients to look at, and if they do not like a certain type of painting such as a wood scene, we can change it. We also have bedside meal delivery served on china. We have a full service kitchen and dinning room open to families and patients and sometimes are junior volunteers will bake cookies for the patients to eat(if they can). We have fish tanks, art carts, music therapy, pet visitation.The type of environment that I work in is truly amazing sometimes and is truly a healing enviroment. We are even going to start room service soon !!!! :)

NO!!!!!!! but PEOPLE can!