HAVEN OF HOPE
A new service is being created for families who have loved ones in the trauma and burn centers at Wishard. A Haven of Hope is an integrated support system for families of patients in Wishard’s Level 1 Trauma Center and the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center. Over the last few months, the hospital has begun to receive a larger number of critically ill patients transported to Wishard via air ambulance. As a result of this increase in trauma and burn patients, Wishard has begun a new phenomenon of providing patient and family focused care for larger numbers of families of critically ill trauma and burn patients, many of whom reside outside the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Creating a patient and family focused care environment will hasten the healing among Wishard’s critically ill patients.
Meeting the needs of families and support systems that often find themselves under what can seem like unbearable stress is a very important part of the healing process of trauma patients. Research demonstrates that patients who feel their families and support systems are able to remain close and are kept comfortable and well cared for often have significantly lower levels of stress, which can allow them to concentrate on their own needs resulting in more rapid improvement and healing. A Haven of Hope would provide an enormous step in the development of a healing environment for patients who are treated at Wishard and their families.
Making a difference!
In the few months that Haven of Hope has been open, it has made a tremendous difference in the lives of those who have
utilized its services.“This was awesome. We were nervous to have to think about a place to stay and everything else on top of the medical
situation, but you made sure we had one less worry,” said a family member of a Wishard patient. The family went on to tell a
chaplain that they appreciated the Haven of Hope’s proximity to their hospitalized family member and the ongoing efforts to make
sure they were as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances. Haven of Hope was created to provide the families of out-of-area patients a place to
go to relax, rest and reflect when their loved one (typically a trauma patient) has arrived at Wishard, often by helicopter, from other
parts of the state or region. Participants are also given a packet of information about Wishard; neighboring restaurants, hotels,
gas stations and parking; and bus routes that stop at Wishard. Thus far, 15 patient families (47 individuals) have utilized Haven of Hope
with over 18 stay periods. This totals 86 days of residence in the rooms. On two occasions, out-of-state patients themselves
have been able to use the rooms before family arrived to pick them up. There are currently five rooms available in Haven of Hope. The two Quiet Rooms allow family members to relax and have a moment to themselves. They can close their eyes or even take a nap in one of the sleeping
chairs. The Kitchenette is equipped with a mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and sink for their convenience. A washer,
dryer and folding area are available for use when necessary in the Laundry Room. Haven of Hope was made possible by
the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild.
