Whole Person Care - Staff Perspective
Riverside Center for Behavioral Medicine
A Psychiatric & Chemical Dependency Hospital
Our Whole Person Care is designed to restore health, renew spirit, and develop the necessary skills and motivation for each patient to live a better life.
Each staff member at Riverside Center for Behavioral Medicine makes treating the whole patient the essence of their job. This is our approach:
As PHP RN and UR person, we assist with referrals to PCP, dentists, dieticians, physical therapists, etc. and educate regarding physical health. We encourage Higher Power, church attendance, and/or other spiritual support such as meditation, or communing with nature. We heavily address mental health via meds, coping skills, referrals to support groups, psychologists, therapists. We include family and social involvement in treatment. We encourage vocational and career and educational exploration. We refer patients to adult education, college, vocational training or rehabilitation. We encourage self expression using art and music as well as altruism with patients who cannot go to work or school. We encourage volunteerism. As nurses we develop discharge and aftercare plans, not just for medication therapy, but for school, work, volunteering, and other aspects of life so that their illness does not become their identify. – Carol Butler, PHP.
I provide Whole Person Care by realizing the necessity of wholeness by providing such care to ensure patient well being. I assess and examine through interviews and observations the spiritual, physical, psychological needs of our patients. It is important to assist patients with wholeness to ensure all areas are complete, realizing that if one is impeded it will affect the other. Through one on one, intervention, and by listening to patients we are able to enlist the available team members in providing the spiritual guidance, therapeutic practice, medical necessities, and patient safety so all needs are met. By evaluating this we can change our care plans to include family, counselors, therapists, and chaplains. – Psych and CD Services
In my specific job in the patient relations/collections department, I provide my best customer service techniques to make each patient feel comfortable, appreciated and welcomed into our facility. Professionalism and respect are the most important when approaching a patient. – Mercedes Estrada, Patient Relations
I provide Whole Person Care by bringing the patients into the hospital in a safe manner. I let them say things that stay in the van and make sure they get home safely. – Henry Johnson, Transportation
I ensure patient safety while educating on the importance of exercise to help improve mood, reduce pain, and explore leisure activity during treatment. Referring patients to activities to replace old habits helps explore healthy coping skills without the consequences of past behaviors. – Janelle Lana, Activities Therapy
I work to provide a total picture of the psychiatric and mental health needs of each patient to the insurance company so that the insurance will authorize treatment to address the patients needs. – Duane Wilson, Utilization Managemen
Being available and approachable by all patients (mine and those of other clinical therapists), giving unhurried focus to attend to each patients needs as they request or require my attention. Treating each patient as an individual, not a diagnosis, with dignity and care. – Carl Mascarella, Clinical Therapist & PHP
Whole Person Care involves a treatment approach to help heal and develop necessary life skills to maintain after discharge. As a med nurse my duties include medication management and education on appropriate coping skills. – Johnny Clay, Nursing
I am the first person the patient sees. I greet them with a hello. I am courteous and responsive to their questions. I always say thank you after the patient and I end our conversation. I never look or seem upset with a patient. I always treat the patients the best I can and help them out the best I can within my power. – Salvador Escoto, Patient Relations
I provide Whole Person Care through our morning exercise and stretching activity. We also provide meditation as a coping skill. We enable patients to utilize their creative mind to make art projects that allow the patients to bring up their self-esteem and self-worth. – Paul Soto, Activities Therapy
I live my life as a good example to our patients. I have a positive attitude. I use positive thinking. I am spiritual, I use coping skills, and I’m in recovery. I help our patients with after care goals, housing support groups, follow up appointments, work related issues. I have a smile on my face and am always available to help. – Jeanne Clevenger
