Joint Commission Came!

Several weeks ago Joint Commission showed up for the unannounced (yet expected)accreditation survey. We did pretty well with some recommendations, none of which were from "Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual" chapter of the accreditation manual. I think we were lucky on that one because we struggle to get the advance directive piece right. I am a big proponent of folks executing advance directives, particularly health care proxies (a.k.a."durable power of attorney for health care" in some states). This IS NOT a matter only for the elderly. Anyone over 18 ought to designate someone they trust, and with whom they have discussed health care wishes, to make medical decisions for them in the event they lose capacity to make their own decisions. One never knows when a traumatic injury will occur. Having someone make decisions on your behalf will go a long way to keeping your case out of the ethics committee and the legal system. Hospitals and other health care facilities have the forms used in your state. GIT'R'DONE!

Getting Started

I've never given much thought to blogging. That is until last night. I watched a most delightful film that originated as a blog. "Julie and Julia" is a film based on a young woman's experience of cooking through Julia Child's "The Art of Mastering French Cooking". Julie blogged her experience and the blogs were one of the sources for the screenplay. I am tempted to try Julia Child's "Boeuf Bourguignon" recipe. If I do, I promise not to blog about it.

What I will blog about is health care ministry. I am a hospital chaplain, a director of pastoral care in a community hospital in the Northeast. I provide spritual care for patients, families, and sometime staff. I am an ordained minister in a mainline Protestant denomination, educated at a well-known seminary. I have undergone further traing known as Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) which I accomplished as a chaplain resident at a major teaching hospital in the Southeast. I am Board Certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains, one of several certifying organizations for chaplains.

From time to time. I will post about my experiences as a chaplain. I invite your responses and questions.