Conduct the Hospital Visit.
2.
Prior to your visit, be sure to coordinate with the nurse in charge of the
ward or an authorized representative.
Always try to take arrangements to
visit the patient during normal visiting hours, so that you will be less
disruptive to the hospital routine.
When you arrive at the hospital, check-in with the ward supervisor and
inform them of your visit. Ask the ward supervisory personnel if there are
any important facts you need to know about the person you are visiting. You
will want to know about such things as the amount of pain, the degree of
awareness, if he is contagious, and any visiting restrictions that may
apply.
When you actually see the patient on the ward, ask if a visit is still
desired. If the soldier is in a private room, knock if the door is closed
and identify yourself and the nature of the call.
Always respect the
patient's hospital room or space on the ward as the soldier's home. When
you enter the soldier's area, carefully observe the area and setting. This
may give a good indication of the patient's mood and the patient's
relationship to others.
Make every effort to ensure the visit is as comfortable as possible for the
soldier.
Take a position which makes it easy for the patient to see and
hear you without straining.
Do not touch, lean against, or sit on the
patient's bed.
Limit the visit to 5-10 minutes, unless the soldier
indicates a desire for more time.
Remember, frequent short visits are
generally more helpful than a few extended visits.
While visiting the soldier:
Explain the UMT's mission of caring for personnel.
Explain how the UMT can help care for the person's well-being and
that the information the soldier shares with you will be told to the
chaplain but will be hold in confidentiality by you and the chaplain.
During the visit, listen to the soldier's hurts, fears, frustrations
and needs.
Be a good active listener and listen to him with a
positive attitude.
Arrange for the privacy of your conversation, if possible.
Be sensitive to the patient's feelings and accept them as stated.
Show an interest in the soldier and the soldier's needs.
Try to
always present a positive attitude to the person.
Whatever you do, do not play the role of doctor or try to answer
questions you are not qualified to answer.
Refrain from offering any false hope, giving medical advice, or
telling the soldier of previous experiences with similar medical
situations.
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