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Show equipped with a refrigerator, stove, microwave oven, sink, and storage cabinet where they can prepare their own meals at any hour. A comfortably furnished patient lounge, stocked with a television, VCR, and a large assortment of movies, is attached to the kitchenette. The nursing station counter was removed, thereby opening the core area of the unit to patients and eliminating the traditional "fortress of hospital bureaucracy" (Coile, 1990). Track lighting and wood trimming add to the general atmosphere. Carpeting and textured wallpaper help reduce noise levels. Patient rooms are painted in subdued colors and the beds are adorned with colored sheets and bedspreads. Bookshelves and bulletin boards are installed for patients' personal belongings. Cassette players and a diverse selection of music are also available. Patients can listen to meditation and relaxation tapes to help them relax before and after procedures. Another innovative aspect of the Planetree Model which contributes to its goals is the emphasis upon patient education and training. The Planetree unit includes a library in which patients can research their condition. Patients are provided with information about healthy lifestyles and self-care activities. They also receive a comprehensive orientation to the program. "All patients admitted to the Planetree unit receive orientation packets containing information about the hospital and Planetree. Most packets include a description of the patient's medical condition, as well as the causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and potential treatment. Patients are also provided with written descriptions of any tests or procedures they will be undergoing while in the hospital. If they are currently taking any medication or are prescribed a new medication, patients receive directions on the proper use of the medication, a list of its possible side effects, and other precautions concerning its administration" (Martin, et al., 1990). Patients have access to their own medical records, and they are encouraged to ask questions. Nurses are available to answer questions and to explain medical jargon. As an extension of patient education, another significant element of the Planetree Model is the involvement of patients and their families in the healthcare process. Visiting hours are not restricted. Family members and friends are encouraged to take an active role in the patient's care. They are instructed in various aspects of patient care such as medication administration, bathing a patient, and preparing healthy and appropriate meals for the patient. Family members are also utilized to transport patients for ancillary testing. Patients and their families learn first hand how to provide care prior to discharge. Once the patient is discharged, the training which families and patients receive serves to reduce the chance of hospital readmission (Berg, 1991). Patients can consult with physicians regarding their treatment options, and they can assume the responsibility for taking medications according to schedule. The schedule itself is tailored to the patient's habitual sleeping and eating patterns (Weber, 1992). The Planetree Project has moved away from traditional task-oriented nursing, focusing instead upon processes and patients through primary nursing. Primary nursing is "a system in which a single RN coordinates and oversees each patient's individualized care plan throughout the hospital stay..." (Weber, 1992). Patients are able to form stronger bonds with nurses, and there is increased job satisfaction among the nurses. "But more important, Planetree nurses have returned to the fundamental definition of nursing responsibilities that allows a broader role in patient care. As hospitals have attempted to provide more efficient care, nurses have been asked to care for more patients who require a higher intensity of care. As a result, after providing physical care Utah's Health: An Annual Review 1992 87 |