Hospitals across the U.S. are classifying chaplains as 'critical' employees.
Rabbi Hillel Fox is the Director of Chaplaincy Care for North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He helped spearhead his hospital's efforts to set up"tele-chaplaincy" for patients in isolation rooms, as well as for their family members in quarantine. The type of hotline service allows anyone to call in and speak with a chaplain over the phone. There is also the ability for patients to video conference with a chaplain from their rooms.
A patient is wheeled across as bridge between buildings inside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in New York, April 1, 2020."It's not the same as in-person for sure," Fox said."Nothing replaces human touch. But 10 years ago, who would have thought that we can have these kinds of communication?"
The hospital where Fleenor works has set up a similar tele-chaplaincy service. In addition, they've partnered with two chaplain certification bodies to extend the support they are able to give. Rev. Karen Swiderski has worked as a chaplain at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, for more than 25 years, and said she feels like she's"walking in history" every day since the virus'sHer team has started doing chaplain calls, and although it's been difficult to lose"the connection and intimacy" that comes with an in-person conversation, she said it's been a cathartic experience for patients in isolation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The last coronavirus holdout in New York: A rural upstate county braces itselfThe last coronavirus holdout in New York: A rural upstate county braces itself.
Read more »
COVID-19 Relief for Women-Owned Businesses on IFundWomenIFundWomen is a startup funding platform supporting women entrepreneurs through COVID-19 providing access to capital through crowdfunding, small business grants, expert startup coaching, and a community of female business owners.
Read more »
Living Alone During the Coronavirus Outbreak'I know you are strong and capable. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need some gentleness and compassion right now, too.' How to stay connected if you're living alone during a time of social distancing and isolation:
Read more »
Steven Spielberg Feeds Doctors, Nurses Treating COVID-19 PatientsSteven Spielberg sent over a ton of food to doctors and nurses at an L.A. hospital dealing with the pandemic.
Read more »
Fla. Man's Sons Don't Know If He Heard Them Say Goodbye on Speaker Phone Before Dying of CoronavirusA family is in mourning after its patriarch died alone from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after he was exposed to infected travelers for a prolonged…
Read more »
Suburban Chicago woman is taking charge to support her local homeless population during COVID-19'We are all the community. All of us.'
Read more »