Patient privacy and safety are paramount to Alison Kirk, Nursing Director, Medical-Surgical Services at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. Although being in Santa Fe, New Mexico without a view is almost sacrilegious. All the patients enjoy views of nature. Some even want to take the curtains home.
Alison tells us, “Providing a calm, relaxing environment for our patients is paramount. Providing safety, providing privacy. The antimicrobial piece of the curtains is a wonderful addition to use these curtains in the hospital. Privacy is also paramount for our patients. These beautiful curtains were placed in such a way to protect them from passers-by in the hallway in case we needed to have the door open for their safety, but they still have the privacy.
And, the staff really like them because they provide an environment that isn’t sterile and clinical. It’s warm. It’s inviting, and it looks very nice.
Patients have liked them so much they’ve wanted to take them home, because they enjoy the beautiful views which we can see out of our windows, and now we can see in our patient rooms, even if there isn’t a window with that kind of view, so it really embraces the fact that we’re here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Everywhere in the hospital, our patients can feel relaxed and comfortable, and feel at home.”
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Sereneview hospital curtains, window treatments, and overhead lit ceiling tiles transform a previously sterile and frightening experience by allowing patients to be distracted with the peaceful beauty of nature. In addition, the curtains combat the issue of infection because of the antimicrobial elements in the fabric that cut down on handling, maintenance, and risk of infection. Costs are kept wildly below the cost of typical curtains or disposable curtains when you factor in replacement costs, cleaning costs, labor costs, as well as the stress and disruption in the room when there is patient turnover.