1	Hospital Visitation Training Reverend Chris Michael, Cherry Log Christian Church Edward L. Boye, D. Min., Psychotherapist, UMC Minister, North Georgia Conference Cherry Log Christian Church January 11, 2004
2	References/acknowledgments Collins, Gary R, Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide, Revised Edition, W Publishing Group: USA, 1988. Breland, Don, “The Pastor: His Hospital Visitation”, www.ifca.org/Handbook/Pastor/P-hospitalvisitation.htm Jones, Teri Lee, “What’s God Got to do With It: Religion’s Role in Health”, Texas Medicine, December, 1995. Kirkwood, Neville, “How to Visit the Sick”, www.sermonsource.newlifeonline.net/Articles/how_to_ visit_the_sick__hospital.htm”
3	Introduction Pastoral ministry in the hospital Ministry of presence Christ’s Call to visit the sick (Matt: 25:34-40) Goals of visitation As representatives of Christ As representatives of Cherry Log Christian Church
4	H.I.P.P.A Health Information Portability and Accountability Act One used to be able to call a hospital and ask for a list of members in the hospital or whether they are still there. Now you must ask for a specific person and if the patient hasn’t given permission for their name to appear on the hospital directory, the hospital will not give out the information.
5	Pastoral Ministry Integration of spiritual care Faith has a role in the healing process. A person’s faith and trust in God is a key element in how that person faces illness. “Researchers said that those without any strength or comfort from religion [or spiritual faith] had almost three times the risk of death as those who had at least some comfort.” (Teri Lee Jones, “What’s God Got to do With It: Religion’s Role in Health”, Texas Medicine, December 1995, p 53, quoted in Breland’s “The Pastor:His Hospital Visitation”: www.ifca.org/Pastor/P-hospitalvisitation.htm ) Health care team member – integration of spiritual care.
6	Crisis Crisis = a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events is determined; turning point; a condition of instability* Lives interrupted Confrontation with pain Strange environment Dependent situation Little privacy Loss of control
7	"Awareness is the key to..." Awareness is the key to entering a person’s hospital room. One must fine tune an internal radar (sensitivity) to the patient and their surroundings and immediate activities. One cannot really go in with a set program. You have to think on your feet and be flexible. The greatest comfort is in allowing the Spirit guide you.
8	"One has to develop a..." One has to develop a keen sensitivity to the patient’s demeanor. Most persons are gracious and polite when around others, even when feeling ill. Our internal radar has to discern whether the person is open to a visit or whether the timing isn’t right.
9	You are not alone You are never alone when you go to visit a patient. The fact that you have compassion and faith opens the door to the presence of the Holy Spirit (& Guardian Angels). Trust that you will know how to respond. Knowing that you are not alone gives you courage to be with the person.
10	You are not alone Part of ‘trusting your gut” and sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit is empathy. Empathy is knowing how you would want to be treated if you were the patient.
11	Issues to consider How long has the patient been in the hospital? Are they acclimated to their surroundings? Have they just gotten back from the endless and exhaustive tests? How much pain are they in? Do they have nausea? Are they eating a meal? Do they have other visitors? Is the doctor present? Are the nurses working with the patient? Trust your gut, and develop a sense as to whether your visit will be another stressor or will be part of a healing ministry.
12	Special Situations What does one do if the patient is in a coma or unconscious? Sometimes a very brief visit can be supportive. One can go in and just hold the patient’s hand and talk to them softly and let then know you are there. You can have a brief prayer and then leave. Leave a card or note with your name and time of your visit. Always wash your hands before entering a patient’s room and then wash again before leaving the hospital. A lot of germs get transmitted through our hands. It should go without saying that no one should visit when they feel they have anything, like a cold, that could be harmful to others.
13	Special Situations (cont) Report any observations to the nursing staff that might be helpful to the patient without sounding invasive. For example, “I noticed that Mr. Jones seems uncomfortable and may not be saying anything about it.”
14	"Leave your number in case..." Leave your number in case they need your help at any time, e.g. bringing them something to read, or helping them when leaving the hospital, or even helping in some way when they return home.
15	Healing Power of Silence Our culture does not value the power of silence. We get uncomfortable when there is too much time between our words. Silence can be the most appropriate form of care! REMEMBER! We are human beings not human doings!
16	Listen, Listen, Listen In a world of stimulus, fueled by technology, many of us are starved for someone to really hear us. Don’t let your anxiety about periods of silence cause you to monopolize the conversation. Don’t let your need to fix or do cause you to organize the patient, e.g. fix the flowers, fluff the pillow, stack the magazines, etc.
17	More Listening Don’t hide behind the scriptures. In our being uncomfortable and wanting to “do something”, there may be a tendency to use scriptures to avoid the unanswerable questions of life and death. Avoid worn out, empty cliches, e.g. “It must be God’s will.” Honesty is the best policy when you don’t have an answer. Sometimes life is just living with the questions! This is why we have faith and hope.
18	"Recognition of Support Systems" Recognition of Support Systems Find ways to praise the nursing staff for their work. They need all the support they can get from sometimes a very strenuous and thankless job. Praying: If the patient agrees to prayer, ask for God’s guidance for this person and for the medical staff in seeking and promoting healing, not necessarily a cure. Know the difference between cure and healing. Curing is to restore a person to perfect health. Healing is being able to sometimes live with change and limitations in our physical being. Include in the prayer the support and love of the Cherry Log family.
19	Specific Suggestions
20	Arrival at Hospital Check at nursing unit/reception desk and make sure a visit at this time is acceptable Check waiting area for family if patient not in room Leave a note or business card if unable to make contact with patient or family Do not enter a room with a closed door or ‘no visitors’ sign unless there’s a response of ‘come in’ from knock
21	Suggestions for Visit Keep visit brief (5-15 minutes) Stand where patient can see you easily (usually side of bed) Follow patient’s lead about shaking hands or other physical contact (watch for intravenous lines, tubes, etc) Offer patient a chance to talk about their feelings--listen carefully Suggest prayer—keep it short
22	Do’s Be friendly and cheerful Be reassuring and comforting Be prepared for anxiety, discouragement, guilt, frustration and/or uncertainty Give reassurance of love and concern (both from God and CLCC church) Promise to pray for the patient/family during the illness. Stand or sit where the patient can comfortably see you.
23	Do’s (#2) Ask if OK to update the CLCC e-mail prayer list Get telephone number in room if patient wants to speak directly with pastor Offer encouragement and neutrality if discussion elicited about medical options Make a quick, graceful exit if patient is uncomfortable Follow up with Chris Michael by phone (leave message at church if no contact)
24	Don’ts Speak in a loud or unnatural tone of voice Question the patient about details of the illness or talk about your past illnesses Criticize the hospital, treatment or doctors Visit during meals (7:30-8:30am, 12-1pm, 5-6pm) Sit, lean on or jar the bed Visit when you are sick Make promises that God will cure or heal them
25	Don’ts Whisper to family members or medical personnel within sight of the patient Spread detailed information about the patient when you complete the visit. Compare patients symptoms to anyone else’s. Provide solutions – you are a visitor, not a counselor or doctor. Become indispensable to the patient. This is the job for their family.
26	Collins, Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide, Chapter: Counseling & Physical Illness “When a person is found to have a terminal illness, doctors, nurses, clergymen and even family members tend to leave the patient to face the problem alone. [This is often called the ‘conspiracy of silence.’] It has been found that the best counseling in these situations is done by cleaning women who are regular visitors, willing to both listen and talk.” p. 336
27	A Job Well-Done Experience the blessings of being a servant of God as you return home!