Bayhealth Medical Center celebrates Patient Centered Care Month

Robotics, laser-guided surgery and cutting-edge technology may all be part of modern medicine, but a healing environment is still the key to patient care.

Bayhealth Medical Center will sponsor Patient Centered Care Month in October to reaffirm the importance of empowering patients and providing them with physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

A healing environment has always been a crucial part of patient-centered care.

“Patient-centered care is part of our core values, and we’re committed to providing the environment that patients want to facilitate their healing. We seek to exceed our patients’ expectations each day,” said Bayhealth assistant vice president of customer service Rich Butto.

Bayhealth Medical Center is an affiliate of Planetree, a nonprofit organization that has been a pioneer in innovative patient-centered care.

The Planetree model is committed to enhancing healthcare from the patient’s perspective, empowering patients through information and education, and encouraging healing partnerships with caregivers to support more active participation. Since adopting the Planetree model five years ago, Bayhealth has implemented many unique initiatives to promote a patient-centered, healing environment for patients.

Bayhealth’s Planetree initiatives include less restrictive visiting hours; a care-partner program; pet-assisted visitation; complementary medicine, including massage, caring touch and aromatherapy; free services such as notary public, local newspapers, books and magazines; an on-demand education and entertainment system; barber or beautician services for inpatients; hospital musicians and entertainers; and access to the Caring Bridges social media website that allows friends and family members to track a patient’s progress through the internet.

Several Bayhealth caregivers will receive Planetree’s Spirit of Caring Award during the annual Planetree Conference Tuesday through Sunday, Oct. 5–9, in Denver, Colo. Bayhealth will pay special tribute to its Spirit of Caring winners during ceremonies at Milford Memorial Hospital Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Bayhealth will also recognize the importance of all hospital employees for their contributions to patient-centered care. During Patient Centered Care Month, employees will be treated to a free barbecue at the hospital where they work.