Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Chapter 127 Patient Visiting Program
A major program of the local Mended Hearts Chapter 127 is its unique heart-patient to former-patient visiting program at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Why do we visit? Undergoing heart surgery of any kind can be a fearful and uncertain time. Many heart patients have already undergone a critical life-threatening incident that brings them to a cardiac center. Patients in the hospital are naturally worried and need to be reassured.
On every day of the week, accredited volunteers provide support by either manning reception desks at cardiac intensive care waiting rooms or being "on call" to respond to patient or family requests. Trained visitors of Mended Hearts who have survived heart disease help other heart patients and their families by going "heart-to-heart" and listening, sharing their experiences, answering questions, and empathizing with their anxieties and concerns.
Mended Hearts visitors see surgical patients (both pre-operation and post-operation), including stents, bypass, valve replacement, angioplasty, pacemaker, laser therapy, and cardiac catheterization. They also visit non-surgical patients, including those who have had a heart attack, angina, hypertension, and cardiac catheterization but do not require surgery.
On every day of the week, accredited volunteers provide support by either manning reception desks at cardiac intensive care waiting rooms or being "on call" to respond to patient or family requests. Trained visitors of Mended Hearts who have survived heart disease help other heart patients and their families by going "heart-to-heart" and listening, sharing their experiences, answering questions, and empathizing with their anxieties and concerns.
Mended Hearts visitors see surgical patients (both pre-operation and post-operation), including stents, bypass, valve replacement, angioplasty, pacemaker, laser therapy, and cardiac catheterization. They also visit non-surgical patients, including those who have had a heart attack, angina, hypertension, and cardiac catheterization but do not require surgery.
Such volunteers who have "been there, done that" are in the unique position of personally knowing similar fears, doubts, and apprehensions that come with life-threatening heart surgery. They talk to other heart patients about what they may face, including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment. Heart patients and families gain hope by meeting people who are living proof that there can be a full and healthy life after heart disease. Studies have repeatedly shown that peer support, especially at a critical time, can make a significant difference in a patient's full recovery.
Volunteers do not give medical advice, but can and do answer lots of questions that perhaps even medically trained physicians cannot completely answer. They provide hope and encouragement and stand as living examples of the miracles of medical science and the reassurance that there is life after heart surgery that can be active, productive, and fulfilling.
For out-of-town patient families, they can provide assistance in familiarizing them with Cookeville Hospital services (cafeterias, restrooms, telephones, etc.) and the surrounding Cookeville City area including transportation, lodging, restaurants, pharmacies, or other needs.
During 2009, Chapter 127 members made 1,605 hospital visits and spent 1,877 hours providing assistance to cardiac patients at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Volunteers do not give medical advice, but can and do answer lots of questions that perhaps even medically trained physicians cannot completely answer. They provide hope and encouragement and stand as living examples of the miracles of medical science and the reassurance that there is life after heart surgery that can be active, productive, and fulfilling.
For out-of-town patient families, they can provide assistance in familiarizing them with Cookeville Hospital services (cafeterias, restrooms, telephones, etc.) and the surrounding Cookeville City area including transportation, lodging, restaurants, pharmacies, or other needs.
During 2009, Chapter 127 members made 1,605 hospital visits and spent 1,877 hours providing assistance to cardiac patients at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
2007-2011 Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127 All Rights Reserved