Jamal Ghani on the importance of having a place to pray

Clinical Care With Prayers

Editor’s Note: In the last issue of PlainViews, Dr. Frederick Smith wrote about the benefit to a hospital in "increased appreciation from patients, families and community, and in improved morale for clinicians whom trained chaplains have helped to fill in that too-often-missing wedge in the circle of healing." In this issue, an employee of North Shore writes about how he has been helped by the presence of a Pastoral Care Department.

Every time a patient is admitted to a hospital, a loved-one prays for the welfare of that patient and pray for the patient’s speedy recovery. Hospitals across the nation admit patients regardless of race, color or religion. It becomes more challenging for loved ones of the patient admitted to find a place of comfort where they can pray in privacy and, at the same time, be able to find the appropriate prayer books to help them with the praying process. Many times, a patient and the loved ones by their bedside feel helpless and in need of spiritual help. No matter how good the doctor or nursing staff, one always prays for the quick recovery of a loved one.

Psychologically as well, praying brings peace to the patient, as well as to the family members. At North Shore University Hospital, Pastoral Care Services are busy on a daily basis fulfilling the requests of patients and their-love ones. One of the ways of fulfilling this commitment is by maintaining a “meditation room” within the hospital premises for prayer. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, a family member can spend some peaceful time meditating or simply praying for the recovery of their love ones. Aside from maintaining the praying room, the chaplains make regular visits to the patients and family members.

The department has been an advocate for the community constituencies that the hospital serves. One example was in identifying the need for a Sabbath Elevator.* The chaplains also participated in a work group with nursing staff that developed a learning module to address specific religious and spiritual needs of maternity patients. Specific foods, separation of the genders, modesty and other cultural needs were also addressed. The chaplains made the case to Administration for a Sabbath Elevator. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

There is a teaching opportunity when the chaplains orient new staff and describe their role as removing obstacles that may prevent patients and family members (even staff) from accessing their spiritual resources and practices when entering the hospital.

Additionally, in a very innovative way, North Shore’s Pastoral Care Services reach out to link employees within the hospital as well. In a very proactive way, they recognized the needs for the staff during the month of Ramadan (when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset). Pastoral Care together with Nutritional Services arranged for basic beverages to ensure that the Muslim medical residents, doctors, visitors as well as other staff members were able to open their fast on time and have a place to pray in a group.

Pastoral Care Services at North Shore has extended their hands proactively to support not only patients and their family but also hospital employees regardless of race, color or religious affiliation. A moment of peace in a prayer just itself can heal numerous wounds. North Shore’s Pastoral Care Services is making sure they are part of this healing process!

* A Sabbath elevator automatically stops at every patient floor. This permits Jews who do not travel or operate machinery on the Sabbath to visit with loved ones or to perform the act of visiting the sick.

Do you have thoughts about advocacy you’d like to share with your colleagues? Send an e-mail to info@PlainViews.org.