Communities can acheive great things!

Today my class and I had the opportunity to tour Missions Hospital in Western North Carolina. Mission is very large hospital that facilitates patients from many different surrounding counties. In comparison to the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), Mission Hospital is considerably larger and has a higher tier level of critical care. If Cherokee Hospital cannot accommodate the necessary needs of a patient or the patient is of critical care they will transfer them to Mission Hospital. What both hospitals do a great job at is satisfying the patient and families.

In experience, Mission reminded me a little bit of St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC) back home. Both facilities are large, can care for critical patients, has an outstanding children’s hospital and is continuously growing. Hospitalization for children is hard, not only for the child, but the family as well. It can be extremely difficult for children, of all ages, to be confined to a hospital room, let alone an unfamiliar place. Mission Hospital does a fantastic job making the stay more comfortable and fun for both the patient and family. From my observation, the art is inviting, the success stories are inspiring, and the TOYS are so exciting. One of the nurses mentioned today, kids are so resilient! As I discussed in previous blogs, this could not be truer. Other ways mission applies patient and family centered care is the unit layout. As you walk into a pediatric unit you will face a locked door. Each individual that enters and exits the unit must be buzzed in from the head desk, this ensures patient safety. The patient rooms were built larger to meet the family wants and needs, providing them with the ability to stay with their child at all times.

The atmosphere I experienced today was very different compared to Cherokee Indian Hospital. CIHA concentrations more on tradition and not so much the statistics. Their tradition is primary focused on family and working together as a community. Developing a relationship is so important for the Native Culture because trust is earned. Without trust, communication is lost. Mission Hospital was more focused on patient and family satisfaction and meeting house goals. Similarities of the two facilities are effective and unique morning report. Each hospital has a different system that was designed for their personal success. It is AMAZING!

Mission Children’s’ Outpatient is a wonderful resource for Western North Carolina. Mission Children’s Outpatient works with respiratory needs, oncology, orthopedics, abuse clinic and an remarkable rehab center. What touched me the most was the Abuse Clinic. Not knowing what it was when I walked, I verbalized how much I loved the artwork on the walls. As she began to tell the story behind the beautiful hand prints on the wall my heart sunk. Amber, who gave us the tour, said each one of these hand prints are of a child that had been abused. The amount we saw was only about 1/3 of what covered the walls throughout the clinic, this was not including the infants who were too young to ask for a hand print. It is extremely hard to think of small children and teens being abused physically, mentally, or sexually. But it is much harder to visually see how many are affected.

 In addition to these wonderful learning experiences, I was able to visit the Biltmore Mansion. It was such an amazing history story and if the opportunity ever arises, take the time to visit this historical place. I had such an incredible time and learned so much.