Hospitals can be lonely, but they don’t have to be

Excerpt: “The hospital is its own little ecosystem within a city. Large hospital feel like a small city functioning and moving constantly. There are so many pieces that it is easy to get lost in the chaos, even if it is controlled.

But the patients have a different experience. Many are not regulars in the hospital, they do not know the lingo, schedules or intricate details that help hospital function, improve health outcomes and save lives. But patients are always in the hospital and one thing that does not get mentioned often enough is the power and impact visitors can have on a patient’s outcomes, experience and overall quality of life.

When family members or friends are hospitalized, having someone that helps make that patient feel seen and loved is important. Family engagement with patients in the hospital improves health outcomes because it can boost the morale of the patient by them simply being present and supportive. Sometimes patients want to discuss their medical problems, but sometimes they want a good distraction from the hospital food and bland walls.

Family engagement through visitors also helps provide helpful information, context, care, coordination and help with the transition home. Sometimes patients are not able to express or explain themselves clearly or effectively. Sometimes a different perspective can provide valuable insight of events that led to the hospitalization or what a transition home may look like. Sometimes a patient’s support system can dictate the type of discharge they are able to cleared for.”

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