The revised Joint Commission Accreditation Standards for Health Care Organizations became effective January 1, 2018 which includes…” involving patients in developing their treatment plans and setting realistic expectations and measurable goals.” (www.jointcommission.org; The Joint Commission Perspectives; July 2017, Volume 37, Number 7.)
This calls for assigning a Health Coach to partner and coordinate the many aspects of life to overcome roadblocks and achieve goals.
What to expect through the process of Health Coaching:
§ Health Coaching brings ideas and information from all areas of life to help patients in developing their “individualized” treatment plan.
§ Health Coaching educates patients by translating research or concepts into understandable language.
§ Health Coaching assists in formulating questions directed to Insurance Providers and Healthcare Professionals involved in treatment plans.
§ Health Coaching establishes partnership with referrals to properly credentialed complementary therapists and healthcare professionals.
The Joint Commission published Facts About Joint Commission Accreditation Standards For Health Care Organizations: Pain Assessment and Managementunder the “Topics” menu on February 26, 2018. These standards require hospitals to revise their policy and procedures. Included in the revisions the Joint Commission requires accredited hospitals to establish policy and procedures, based on clinical determination where appropriate, that includes providing… “at least one non-pharmaceutical pain treatment modality”. www.jointcommission.org/facts_about_joint_commission_accredi…dards_for_health_care__organizations_pain_assessment_and_management/
HEALING TOUCH:
There are many complementary modalities. One that best suits the hospital setting is Healing Touch. Healing Touch is an energy healing therapy in which practitioners consciously use their hands in a heart-centered and intentional way to enhance, support and facilitate physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and self-healing. Healing Touch utilizes using light or near body touch to clear, balance and energize the human energy system in order to promote health and healing for mind, body and spirit.
This modality has been developed in the 1980s by a nurse, Janet Mentgen RN, BSN, HTP/1, HNC. Healing Touch was revolutionized as a medical model by Janet which includes a clinical approach to energy based therapy that is taught within the Healing Touch Program. (www.healingtouchprogram.com) Subsequently, the American Nurses Association, American Holistic Nurses Association and the National League of Nursing endorses Healing Touch. Certification in Healing Touch is attained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Namaste, Nurse Judith
