Calvary John James C.A.R.E. TV an Australian first

6th October 2016

An Australian first, Calvary John James Hospital announces the implementation of The C.A.R.E. Channel for patient television. This innovative service is provided as part of our commitment to improve the patient experience and create a healing environment for patients, families, and staff. Calvary John James Hospital is only the second hospital outside of the United States to offer this therapeutic channel for patient well-being.

Recent patient, Deborah Hamilton (pictured), emailed feedback directly to the US providers from her hospital bed saying; “Hello, I’m in hospital in Australia which has the healing health TV and I’m finding it excellent.”

Another patient this week has contacted the US provider of C.A.R.E. from their inpatient bed to enquire if they can access this program at home for a loved one with a chronic illness.

Frances Brown, Director of Mission at Calvary John James says that, “since introducing the C.A.R.E. program in early 2015, we have noticed a decrease in the level of noise on the units. Patients and staff, through surveys and anecdotal evidence are reporting lower stress levels with the channel on in the wards. The C.A.R.E. channel assists us to look after the whole person, that is, to attend to their emotional and spiritual needs in tandem with the physical care.”

The C.A.R.E. Channel offers respite from commercial television, noise, and other stressful distractions. Combining beautiful nature video and soothing instrumental music, this program serves as a therapeutic tool to enhance and promote healing. The original music is appropriate for use in a clinical environment, while being non-generational and non-regionally biased. The C.A.R.E. Channel is designed to support the circadian rhythms and includes a special nighttime starfield for overnight broadcast to support restfulness and sleep.

While the physical environment in which care is delivered is experienced on all sensory levels, sound is by far the most invasive factor, impacting patient satisfaction, confidentiality, communication, staff performance, and morale. Research and patient satisfaction data have shown that sound and other environmental factors, such as The C.A.R.E. Channel, can significantly impact clinical outcomes.