Page 6 - April 2020 Ulupono

COVID-19 Care: Here is what patients want to hear from their providers
By Steve Bovey, Quality Supervisor
Recent studies by the National Research Corporation (NRC), who administers our patient experience surveys, has provided the following information compiled by the patients in their nationwide database.
The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has many patients feeling anxious. It’s no mystery why—the virus’s spread has been alarmingly fast. Patients aren’t always feeling comforted by their visits to their providers. And emotional support is a major
Do You Want to
Kick your Nicotine
Addiction?
Breathe Free 2.0
By Samantha Zuro, Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine
“If there is even a one percent chance that you will cut down or quit tobacco, we can work with you,” says Allie Hall, Tobacco Treatment Program Coordinator at Adventist Health Castle’s Wellness Center.
Allie teaches a quit smoking class called “Breathe Free 2.0” at the Castle Professional Center in Ka¯ne‘ohe. It features effective strategies to stop or reduce tobacco use and assistance with nicotine replacement therapy in a group environment. The best part: everything is free!
The most recent graduating class had participants of all ages and stages of readiness. One was highly motivated to stop smoking; others were encouraged to attend by family or friends but wanted to start by cutting down.
As participants progressed through the classes, they discovered patterns of when
6 | ULUPONO - APRIL 2020
issue for patients with concerns about the coronavirus: while just 21 percent of general patient comments are about emotional support, among patients who mentioned the coronavirus, 44 percent raised concerns about emotional support.
Here are a few basic recommendations, based on patient comments, that healthcare providers can implement to demonstrate human understanding:
• Give patients a chance to voice their
anxieties.
• Show empathy while hearing their
concerns.
• Ensure staff are consistent—and
visible—in their hygiene practices. In addition, it is important to verbalize that you are using PPE for their safety.
• Educate patients and family members about hand-hygiene—and about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19—so they can stay safe after discharge.
• Follow up with patients at home to ensure they’re not developing any complications and are on track in their recovery.
Of course, patients aren’t the only ones feeling anxious about the coronavirus. All
of us who work in healthcare are feeling
it too. Our frontline staff, in particular, is facing enormous pressure in their roles to keep our patients, ourselves and our families safe. Let’s be especially vigilant to show each other the same understanding and compassion we show to our patients.
and why they smoke. They identified their triggers. They learned how to redirect their thinking and substitute alternatives like exercise, relaxation and healthy eating in place of smoking.
“This week, I made my home smoke-free,” said one participant. “I am now able to spend the day with my grandkids without experiencing cravings,” another reported. Classmates cheered as each described their victories for the week.
One exciting innovation was the use of “Experiment Days.” Allie challenged the class to quit for one day and try different strategies to find what works for them. “There is no failure here! We are just experimenting,” Allie encouraged.
On graduation day, the class participants received diplomas to celebrate their
progress. They wrote letters to their future selves and made “Quit Kits” for friends or family members who are trying to kick their nicotine addiction too.
Overall, the class was a tremendous success. Average carbon monoxide levels of participants decreased by 47.7 percent as they reduced their tobacco use. 86 percent reported increased levels of readiness to quit. The class also had the opportunity to share how the program helped them in their journey to quit.
If you or someone you know would like to quit or reduce their tobacco use, call our Wellness Center at 263-5050 to sign up for online Breathe Free 2.0 classes. Groups are held on Monday from 5–6:30 p.m., or Thursday, from 1–2:30 p.m. You may also sign up at Adventisthealthcastle.org.