Sometimes, the simplest act can have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.
At Shriners Children’s Boston, as part of ongoing efforts to improve patient care and satisfaction, clinical staff asked themselves, “How can we be more mindful of our patients’ religious, cultural and personal modesty preferences during exams and procedures?” This led to We’ve Got You Covered, an initiative that reflects a commitment by staff to protect patient dignity.
The project was spearheaded by perioperative nurse Maureen “Mo” Hanley, BSN, RN, CNOR, CBRN, who was a patient at another hospital years ago. Hanley’s experience left her feeling embarrassed and disrespected when staff failed to keep her covered after injuries from a car accident. “My clothes were cut off so they could assess me, but no one seemed to care I was completely exposed. No one did anything to protect my privacy.”
Amid the fast pace of daily care, Hanley’s project reminds staff to take time to pause and consider each patient’s comfort and privacy.
As an operating room nurse, Hanley recognizes that many surgeries require sensitive body parts to be uncovered; however, her philosophy of maximum coverage for the most amount of time keeps dignity at the forefront. “Patients are vulnerable while under anesthesia, so I take my role as their advocate very seriously,” said Hanley. She explained there are interventions to limit what is visible, including sterile towels, blankets, disposable underwear and even disposable hijabs, which reflect cultural competence and reduce patient anxiety.
Dan Driscoll, M.D., FACS, was an early supporter. “With the patient volume we have at Shriners Children’s Boston, there’s always a sense we’ve just got to get the job done. You must balance that with patient concerns,” he said. “It’s important in a pediatric hospital — especially for teenagers going through natural body changes — to let them know we respect their modesty.”
The outpatient clinic has played a key role in advancing We’ve Got You Covered. The clinic is often where care begins, for checkups and preparation for surgery. “Modesty is at the top of the list of things that make patients anxious,” said Debbie Carlson, BSN, RN, CPN.
Child life specialist Brooke Allen, MS, CCLS, is also a champion of Hanley’s efforts. “This is another way we can advocate for our patients,” she said, noting that protecting privacy makes patients feel even more comfortable with their clinicians. “Ensuring our patients can trust us as caregivers is an integral part of a positive experience.”
–BROOKE ALLEN, CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
Hanley submitted the project to the American Burn Association annual conference and presented at the Shriners Children’s State of the Science research conference. She also
attended the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses national conference, where she detailed her modesty project during a nursing research panel.
The positive feedback extends beyond colleagues to patients. “Caregivers are so appreciative of our staff taking time to address their child’s modesty. If these are the things we’re doing to make patients feel better about coming to the hospital, it’s going to make them feel even safer while at Shriners Children’s Boston,” said Hanley.
