Actscelerate.com

My Chaplaincy Evaluation shares several improvements I need to make

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **8/5/16 12:33 pm**

Viewers are aware that one of my favored statements is, "THE LARGEST ROOM in the world is the room for improvement." In almost every situation in which we are engaged, our methods and efforts can be improved.

In keeping with that theme, a couple of days ago, I received an evaluation concerning my role as a hospital Chaplain. The evaluation includes several items for my improvement. The first word you will see is "Piedmont." In the Atlanta area, the "Piedmont Healthcare System" is one of the largest. At present, there are eight Piedmont hospitals surrounding the city and metro area:

Piedmont

Chaplaincy Evaluation / August 3, 2016

Chaplain Doyle Daugherty is a leader among his peers. He is well-liked by peers, hospital staff and patients. He is clearly energized by his work as a Chaplain, finding in it purpose and direction.

He is a vital member of our Chaplaincy group; supportive of his peers and willing to assist them in any way he can. He is warm and welcoming. He has exhibited no signs of bias or prejudice toward any “class” or group. He embraces his place on the health-care team. In addition to being “present” and accessible to patients, Doyle makes himself fully available to staff in a supportive capacity.

He is well-respected and valued by the hospital staff. Doyle is friendly and congenial by nature. He has no hesitancy to step into any patient-care situation. He is able to put others at ease quickly, and he can see a patient encounter through to its natural closure.

His long history in pastoral ministry helps him be more effective in counseling skills. He is a good listener. He is comfortable functioning in the areas of beliefs, values and religious rituals that are meaningful to the patient. Caring and comfortable in his relationships with others, he is a kind and concerned listener as patients share their hurts, fears and spirituality issues. He offers a good balance in how he presents himself to others.

Doyle consistently maintains a close and supportive relationship with fellow Chaplains and our hospital supervisory team.

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS: Chaplains deal primarily with spirituality issues, but it will enhance Doyle's effectiveness if he obtains a more detailed medical history of patients too. That helps him have a clearer picture of the patient's complete story.

Asking personal questions regarding medical issues, enhances the ability to address patient concerns. As a member of our health-care team, Doyle has a right and responsibility to seek all the information, including medical information, he can from a patient.

Dr. Stephen Austin
Hospital Chaplaincy Director
Supervisor:
Clinical Pastoral Education
Piedmont / Henry Hospital
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.

Serving as a hospice chaplain...

Golf Cart Mafia Associate Posts: 2109 **8/7/16 11:58 am**

I can't help but wonder why you wouldn't/don't have "detailed medical history of patients."

I have two sources regarding patient medical history:

1. Medical history is part of the information included with admission and is provided to the chaplain.

2. Interdisciplinary Group meetings discuss medical history and needs during IDG.

As a chaplain I am required to attend IDG.
_________________
God-Honoring
Christ-Centered
Bible-Based
Spirit-Led
(This is how I want to be)

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/7/16 12:51 pm**

Looking at the situation from the outside, I would think privacy would be a problem. We seem to climb that tree in every facet of life now. from 2-4 pages just from your phone provider, etc.

It sounds like the complete record 'might' be available to the chaplain. Things have changed dramatically since I was a volunteer chaplain, rotated with most pastors in town in 1962. I was given nothing but the patients name and quick overview.

The system seems to be much more coordinated today, that is good. Cool

_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **8/7/16 1:21 pm**

Congrats on at fine assessment there, Doyle!

Yes, OTCP you are right, and Cojak

Golf Cart Mafia Associate Posts: 2109 **8/7/16 2:06 pm**

Doyle did receive a good evaluation. I am proud for the good things the evaluation reported. Good Job! Doyle!

Cojak: HIPPA is important but it is an Interdisciplinary Approach and it is legal to share the team. They are responsible for not sharing.
_________________
God-Honoring
Christ-Centered
Bible-Based
Spirit-Led
(This is how I want to be)

Mark, you are absolutely right

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **8/9/16 5:35 pm**

Thank you Mark for your input. It is appreciated. I was not aware that you are a Chaplain too. Congratulations on the effort it has taken to be a successful pastor and Chaplain too. It certainly shows your heart for God and the people under your pastoral leadership.

My primary focus is the Emergency Room and ICU. In the ER, I have only a few minutes with a patient. Sometimes I go from gurney to gurney. Most are still strapped in and most are in pain, sometimes accute pain. Nearly all are tramatized. Many are having breathing problems. At that point, even the doctors and nurses don't have a complete Med Chart on the patient. It is still being developed as they go.

There in ER, I establish an initial contact with the patient. Most of them have never met me before nor I them. Once they are sent to a regular room or ICU, I have more time to meet with them or their family members. By then, the Med Chart on the patient is well on it's way and I can take a look at it.

When I am making regular "rounds," visiting room-to-room, a chart is available, but the ER is a different deal. At times, my main role is the patient's family. This is especially true in life-threatning situations; heart attack, stroke, accidents. And of course "Code Blue," when a patient's heart stops, Med Staff pour into the room. My total focus at that time is with the patient's family.

And there is this too. At least this has been my thinking. I am open to your input. A quick glance at the patient tells me if he or she is alert. A glance at the monitor tells me the pulse, oxygen level and blood pressure. Since my role is primarily spiritual, how in depth do I need to go in finding out all the medical details. If needed, I can simply look at the chart or ask the nurse.

As you can see from the evaluation, the Chief of Chaplains feels I can be more effective if I become more aware of obtaining med info. I have high respect for him and am going to comply.

In most cases, when I visit a patient, a simple question "What brings you in?" gets me the info I need to know. If the patient can't answer, a family member usually fills me in on why the patient is in the hospital and what's happening. The next question, "Where do you draw strength from in times like this," puts me very close to knowing if the patient is a person of faith, a church-goer or not.

But again, though the Chief of Chaplains did give me a good evaluation, he felt I should be more proficient in getting medical information that can be put in the Chaplain reports. I am going to do exactly that. Again, thanks for the input.

Doyle
writedoyle@gmail.com
404-933-1373
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.