Special touches

[kewlblu65]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I did a quick search and didnt see anything

I'm looking for ideas on how to many my unit have that extra special touch, like giving out thank you cards when the patient leaves or bedtime massages.

So my question is what type of special touches does your unit have to make it extra special for the patient ad families??

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I mean this with all sincerity: if you have staffing sufficient to allow time for this sort of thing ... you have the time to think of something that will be meaningful in your particular setting. You'll want it to be something that maintains the focus on the quality nursing care you give ... and not something more typical of the hospitality industry.

[kewlblu65]

That is True, however it's not about having nurses that have nothing better to do. This was more of my thinking and I was just looking for other ideas for my non creative mind. Why can't I see what other places do, isn't that what best practices do or evidence based practice?

[SaoirseRN]

Just saying, but I don't give patients bedtime massages and I'd have a very difficult time working in a place where this was expected. Sorry. Just no.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

The special touches should be quality nursing care on a consistent basis . I have been a nurse now for 31 years and a patient may times. Many a nurse feels overburdened by the workload and yet work their behinds off every day to give quality care. We should be spending the money on providing care.

I do not want a carnation when I am discharged.......I want my effective pain medication given on time without judgement.

I do not want a phone card...................................I want a daily bath and clean linens.

I do not want a crossword puzzle book....................I want my IV started by nurse that knows what they are doing.

I do not want a mug with the hospital logo...............I want my doctors and nurses to listen to me and my needs.

I do not want a T shirt..........................................I want good nursing care and medical care.

and on and on and on

[kewlblu65]

So you just want an average hospital? Of course that is our number one concern is all those things you listed.

[Sparrowhawk]

An average hospital doesnt have time for all that. All that matters is good care, a kind word...

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

nurses are way too busy for the little niceities you described. THe best thing is to provide consistently good care with a smile.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

My husband was a recent patient for a routine outpatient screening. What made it special was the nurse assigned to his case. She explained everything to him before doing it, she took her time and was very thorough on her discharge instructions. She was excellent.

As recent patient myself, I can say that those things are what really mattered to me, too. Did the nurse explain things to me? Did she manage my pain effectively and involve me in pain management? Did she come to check on me? Was her discharge teaching clear?

The "extras" are all the rage, but make sure your fundamentals are up to snuff through adequate staffing, performance enhancement, and effective recruitment. When patients write to our facility about the care delivered, they rarely talk about anything but the kindness, compassion, and competence of the nurse. THAT is what patients want.

All these things don't make a hospital just "average." Do you really think a thank you card or a bedtime massage makes it "excellent"?

[kewlblu65]

Ok thank you for your replies - you have all helped me see where I need to put my focus on

[Altra, BSN, RN]

All these things don't make a hospital just "average." Do you really think a thank you card or a bedtime massage makes it "excellent"?

^^THIS^^!!!