Caregivers at Texas Health hospitals step into peaceful retreats during pandemic
You won’t find any patients or beeping machines in these hospital rooms. The specifically designed rooms offer caregivers at Texas Health hospitals a peaceful break during the pandemic.
“It’s a safe space to relax, calm your nerves or have a small debriefing with a friend or co-worker during your shift,” said Sheila Haynie, B.S.N., R.N., nurse manager in the Emergency Department at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.
The Zen Room, which opened in July, is in an ED consult room at Texas Health Fort Worth that was not being used during the pandemic.
The dim lighting and ambiance offer a sense of calmness from the moment you open the door — a very different feeling from the often-chaotic ED.
Naomi Paget, B.S.N., R.N., CEN, pitched a similar idea of a quiet space to her manager at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
“The ED is a stressful, fast-paced environment and can be chaotic, especially during surge times,” said Paget, nursing supervisor in the Emergency Department at Texas Health Plano. “COVID-19 has added additional pressure on our staff, and I loved the idea of creating a relaxing space for our ED.”
The Tranquility Suite, located outside the Emergency Department at Texas Health Plano, opened its doors to all hospital employees in December.
“Our hope is that the employee will come away with reduced stress in one’s life and work by taking a brief moment to relax in quiet and stillness,” said Scott Flockhart, B.S.N., R.N., CEN, clinical manager in the Emergency Department at Texas Health Plano.
The suite, furnished with a massage chair, lighting and décor, was purchased with a grant from the Texas Health Resources Foundation. Healthcare workers can even enjoy a beverage or snack during their breaktime.
Caregivers at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital have two options to recharge in the Relaxation Room — one in the ED and the other on the third floor of the hospital that’s for all staff members. The room is part of the hospital’s Kindness Matters initiative that includes an emphasis on self care.
“It’s nice to have a place to regroup, refresh and reflect amid all the chaos and loss,” Flockhart said.
Posted January 21, 2021
