“Code Compassion” Offers a Healing Touch
Nurses are always finding new ways to better connect with their patients. Jeli Gill, RN, is no different. As shift coordinator on Elkhart General’s Medical Unit, she provides one-on-one care to people with a variety of conditions. As much as it’s about the patient physically healing, there is another component to the healing process – emotional well-being.
Sometimes, for reasons beyond Jeli or the other nurses’ control, patients as well as their family members become frustrated, anxious, fearful, lonely or upset – which can trigger behaviors that are disruptive to the staff and other patients and which could potentially further escalate.
Thanks to a book club that Elkhart General Vice President of Nursing Karra Heggen, MSN, BSN, RN, facilitated with Medical Unit nursing staff, a solution is showing some great success, which will eventually be expanded across Elkhart General.
While reading the book, See Me as a Person: Creating Therapeutic Relationships with Patients and Their Families, Jeli and Shift Coordinator Kimberlee Acton, RN, noticed the phrase “Code Compassion.” She believed, much like there is a “Code Blue” and “Code Red,” Code Compassion could be applied in challenging situations that address a patient’s emotional well-being.
After drafting a proposal, with the help of Kimberlee and gaining the support of her director, Connie Dobson, RN, the Code Compassion initiative was rolled out last April in the Medical Unit. In just under a year, a total of 32 Code Compassions have been called. A team of nurses (primary nurse, CNA, charge nurse, secretary, shift coordinator and director) gathers to identify the patient’s needs, discuss options and make a plan that reduces stress and makes the patient feel more comfortable. In the end, not only does the patient feel better, the entire medical team is happier.
“We use a team approach and it’s making a difference,” says Jeli. “It’s a powerful tool that shows, out of respect and kindness to our patients, we are listening to them and actively responding to their emotional needs.”
Once action is taken, it doesn’t stop there. The staff keeps a close eye to ensure the patient’s emotional needs continue to be met, all the way up until they are released.
“We spend extra time with that patient to help them through their stressful situation,” says Karra. “It goes to show that while physical well-being is important, we also have an emotional and spiritual well-being that are closely connected in the healing process.”
The first Medical Unit Book Club Members were Jessica Weaver, Bryanna Bryan, Brenda Pressler, Denise McCluckie and Denise Kimsey.
The Code Compassion initiative has caught the attention of the local media. You can see the WSBT story here: http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/Code-Compassion-Elkhart-General-Hospital-begins-therapeutic-healing/38240036
