Cone Hospital review [May, 1968]

              MOSES   CONE    HOSPITAL
REVIEW
Vol. Ill No. 2
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
May, 1968
Year - Old Visitor Program Gains High Praise
What would you do if 650,000 people came to visit you?
That's equivalent to four visits by
every single person in Greensboro in
one year. And that's more than two
visits by everyone in Guilford County.
This was the situation facing Moses
Cone Hospital last year.
Visitors came with the kindest of intentions, patients wanted to see them,
and the hospital medical staff realized
visits from close relatives and friends
were morale builders.
But not 650,000 visits!
After many months and hours of
questioning, studying and planning, a
new visitor program was put into effect
just a year ago this month.
A recent survey made of all groups
concerned with the program as to its
effectiveness and their reactions to it
showed overwhelming approval and
co-operation.
Ministers, patients, visitors, receptionists and medical staff have praised
the program. All groups have also remarked on the excellent co-operation
given by the public.
The Rev. H. D. Jack Roe, pastor of
the Magnolia Street Baptist Church,
said, "This is one of the best things
the hospital has ever done. I've had
this word from patients, families, doctors and other ministers and it's my
own personal feeling, too. The whole
program has gone beautifully."
Mrs. Annie Higgins, Director of
Nursing, said, "It's made an awful lot
of difference in patient care areas and
From Medical Men and Ministers
in the traffic in the hospital. We didn't
realize how much traffic there had been
before the program started. I've heard
very few complaints."
Receptionists, both staff and volunteer, who man the program had high
praise for the excellent co-operation
the general public gave them.
One receptionist remarked, "Even
in the beginning — when we thought
we'd have some problems — we had
very few. The majority of people who
are visitors say they really appreciate
the program."
Another said, "If there's any complaint, it's when the patient first comes
in and the family doesn't understand.
But in a couple of days they seem to
really appreciate the program. I don't
know how many have told me they are
all for it and see the value of it."
Harold Bettis, Director of Moses
Cone Hospital, believes that "over all
These and 37 More Staff Programs
it has worked out very nicely. The
patients appreciate it. The doctors feel
it has contributed much to better patient care. I'm impressed by the number of patients who have taken the
time to commend us."
Doctor Determines Visitors
Bettis made the point that it is actually the patient's own doctor who
controls the matter of whom the patient may see and how soon, that the
hospital only administers the physician's orders in this area as in any
other of the patient's treatment
Unfortunately a few people have
gained the impression the hospital does
not want patients to have visitors. This
is not the case at all.
When the patient's doctor believes
he is well enough to have company,
visitors are always welcome within the
visiting hours for the area the patient
is in.
These hours are set up to assure the
patient of adequate rest, time for medical treatments and tests as needed,
and help protect him from developing
complications.
For instance, new fathers and grandparents certainly want to see the new
baby but the tiny life must be protected from many possible germs such as
colds, so visiting hours are not in effect when the babies are out in the
mothers' rooms for feeding.
Likewise a critically ill patient  in
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