The holiday season is a great time for families and loved ones to be together. However, it can be difficult for adults and children who have to stay in the hospital. While they’re working on getting better, it may feel like they’re missing out on the holiday cheer when they know all the festive events are going on without them.
Geisinger Holy Spirit Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Gloria Santos and Allison Polinski, Geisinger’s regional manager for infection prevention control, gave Healthy Me PA their best advice for anyone who plans to visit loved ones in the hospital over the holidays.
As the CNO, Santos makes sure the care at Geisinger Holy Spirit is “patient-centric,” excellent, and of its highest quality. Polinski ensures the patients and the staff are protected and knowledgeable about the risks and causes of infection.
If your family member or friend is staying in the hospital, there are several ways you can spread Christmas cheer—but make sure you know a few do’s and don’ts first.
Do: Wash your hands
Hand washing is important for the employees and patients of the hospital to stay as healthy as possible during the holidays and throughout the year. When you have clean hands, you prevent infection from spreading. Geisinger Holy Spirit has tips to maintain hand hygiene:
- Wash your hands before and after your visit
- Sing the happy birthday song to yourself while washing your hands to make sure you’re washing long enough
- Use hand sanitizer located in the hallways, outside of patients’ rooms (rub hands until dry)
Don’t: Visit the hospital when sick
The holiday season is also flu season, so it can be easy to contract a mild sickness. Before you visit your family member or friend in the hospital, take care of yourself.
- Eat healthy
- Drink enough water
- Sleep well
Polinski suggests that, if you’ve been sick recently, have a cough or running nose, you might want to skip a hospital visit or wear a mask.
Do: Bring appropriate gifts
Gifts are frequently exchanged over the holidays, but make sure you know what kinds of gifts to give. When bringing gifts to the hospital, stay away from live plants and shrubbery. The dirt in the plants can carry germs into the hospital and make patients sick.
Geisinger provides patients with lotion, but your loved one might appreciate receiving lotion as a gift that has a favorite scent. Here are some sweet, hospital-approved gift ideas:
- Floral arrangements
- Hand lotion
- Lip balm
- Cards
Polinski said to stay away from gifting stuffed animals. Although they can be cute and cuddly, they are not easily washable and can carry germs. Instead, look for gifts that are machine washable.
Don’t: Hinder the healing process
When you visit loved ones in the hospital, be considerate of their recovery needs. For example, don’t stay too long if you notice your grandmother is starting to get tired. It can be hard to turn family away, but getting enough rest is an important part of the healing process.
While patients are away from their families, Geisinger Holy Spirit hosts special events to spread the holiday cheer. The hospital has a “major” nativity scene, according to Santos, as well as Christmas decorations, a special caroling event, and a complimentary holiday meal for employees and visitors.