Hackensack

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!

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"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."