An Integrative Imagery Template for Perioperative Nursing
An Integrative Imagery Template for Perioperative Nursing
The following template is being used by a non-profit complementary care center1 in association with a San Francisco Bay Area hospital. It is an example of a cost-effective way to implement imagery throughout the perioperative continuum. The use of nurses certified in integrative imagery and/or ongoing integrative imagery training is essential.
For the Elective Patient
1. Medical or surgical office, pre-admission testing center, and/or knowledgeable health care professionals provide patients with a brochure describing the program. Patients may also self-refer to the Center.
2. Patients call the Integrative Center for Culture and Healing for an appointment with one of the imagery-certified nurses and hospital-credentialed nurses. Appointments are made at least one week prior to surgery if possible.
3. Imagery audiotapes are customized for the patient with a focus on relaxation, decrease in anxiety, prevention of complications, healing, pain control, optimization of medications and treatments, and desired outcomes. This may require two 1-hour sessions.
4. Patients are encouraged by the imagery nurse and hospital staff to use the appropriate tapes preoperatively, intra-operatively, postoperatively, and after hospitalization.
5. Patients may request the imagery nurse in the operating room or the recovery room per hospital policy and procedure. Hospital staff are aware of what is on the tape and are only asked to encourage the patient to use the tape and to make sure it is available throughout the hospitalization.
6. Hospital staff use a clinical pathway format to implement the patient’s imagery plan throughout the perioperative phases and to analyze outcome data. Therefore the patient can receive reinforcement for using the tapes and support from the health care team at optimal times during and after hospitalization.
7. A question about how the imagery is working should be included on the post-hospitalization follow-up call. The intent is to encourage continued use of imagery after discharge.
8. Surgeon and office staff reinforce and support patient’s imagery efforts for continued self-care during follow-up visits. The patient may want to continue the imagery process on a private basis with an imagery nurse.
For the Non-Elective Patient
1. Pre-made relaxation and imagery tapes focusing on general outcomes, such as reduction of anxiety, reduction of pain, and healing, should be available to patients.
2. Follow steps four through eight above.
References
1. Integrative Center for Culture and Healing, San Francisco, CA, e-mail: http//[email protected].
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