Sutter Tracy Harnesses the Healing Power of TV
2/8/05
TRACY, CA – Patients and staff at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital are giving the hospital’s new C.A.R.E. Channel® two thumbs up. The 24-hour TV channel features soothing and relaxing nature images and instrumental music to help calm patients and aid in the healing process. The Continuous Ambient Relaxation Environment (C.A.R.E.) Channel is available on all TVs in patient rooms, along with regular commercial TV programming.
Specifically chosen for their aesthetic and stress-reducing qualities, the channel’s original musical compositions and visual images have been shown to promote patient relaxation, reduce stress and enhance pain management treatments. The channel also helps block or mask distracting noises coming from hallways or other rooms and serves as a restful alternative to standard commercial television. The channel’s midnight sky filled with twinkling stars promotes better sleep at night, a time when many patients experience heightened anxiety and fear.
“We’ve had many positive comments from patients and staff since installing The C.A.R.E. Channel last summer,” said Cathy McKechnie, RN, education manager. “It creates a more healing environment for our patients and helps family members and visitors relax, as well.”
Patients can also tune in to three new health education TV channels during their hospital stay. Each channel offers a list of videos covering a wide range of health topics, such as asthma, heart disease and prenatal care. The videos last from 10 to 30 minutes, and many are available in Spanish as well as English. Kim Bailey, RN, clinical educator, previews all videos before deciding which to show on the educational channels.
“We’re very pleased to be able to offer these new services to our patients to help improve their recovery and make their hospital stay more pleasant,” McKechnie added.
The C.A.R.E. Channel is distributed by Reno-based Health Healthcare Systems (www.healinghealth.com). The educational channels are part of the Instant Health Line on demand video system.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital is a full-service, acute care hospital that offers a wide array of inpatient and outpatient services. Founded in 1948 by a group of community residents and business members, the Hospital became an affiliate of Sutter Health in 1993. Sutter Health is a family of not-for-profit hospitals and physician organizations that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care, cancer treatment, orthopedics, and newborn intensive care, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology.