Hackensack, NJ Medical Center Procedures for HOH
Patient
Editor: We often hear horror stories about the treatment by medical
personnel of people with hearing loss. Whether the problem is ignorance
or indifference, the result is too often a difficult experience for the
patient. Here's a refreshing article from the SHHH Bergen County (NJ)
Newsletter about a hospital that seems to have taken the time to
understand the needs of people with hearing loss and to implement
policies that make a difference. Our thanks for their kind permission to
share this story with you. And hopefully programs like the one described
here will soon be the norm!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) has been revising
their procedures for Hard of Hearing (HOH) patients to give better care
to those patients with hearing loss," writes Carol Granaldi on
November 7, 2003.
Joan Rittgers R.N., is presently involved in screening of and
identifying patients 65 years and older for hearing loss upon admission.
The patient who is HOH should be identified in ways such as: "slash
through ear" sticker for the chart for the HOH patient; the
patient's bed has a sticker, and the call light at the Nurses' Station
has a sticker for the patient to alert the staff to go to the room,
rather than use the intercom to communicate with the patient. Staff
members such as food service, blood work, etc. are shown a video
training film in which proper HOH communication procedures are shown:
have the patient's attention, face them while speaking, etc.
All employees are required to see the video, which is captioned, and
take a test on properly approaching HOH patients as shown in the video.
HUMC has a "full service" Audiology Department, in that it
performs testing, sells hearing aids, demonstrates a wide range of
Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) and Assistive Listening Devices (ALD),
as well as sell them. If, in the admission and screening, the patient
could use, but does not have a hearing aid, a visit to the Audiology
Department is arranged.
A "Pocket Talker" is demonstrated to the patient, and can
be used during the stay. Upon discharge, it can be returned or
purchased. ALDs are available to use while in the hospital at no charge.
Through the Audiology Department, a range of Assistive Devices can be
used, and for many, this is the first time the HOH patients have ever
tried them.
HUMC is providing both a service and an education. It is hoped this
new procedure revision at HUMC will lead the way for all hospitals to
realize what a difficult time a hospital visit can be for a patient who
is HOH. HUMC is preparing publicity about this project that will be
released in the near future, and the training video is currently being
edited. The Bergen County SHHH chapter has been meeting for over 15
years and has been actively involved in this HUMC "Hospital
Project."