10 Standards of Patient-Centered Care

Gila Regional Medical Center is a Planetree affiliate whose caregivers and providers are expected to find ways to implement Planetree's 10 core components for patient-centered care:

Human Interaction: Creating a culture in which patients get nurturing, compassionate, personalized care; providing support for patients' families and for staff.

Architectural and Interior Design : Making the hospital welcoming and accessible by providing comfortable, familiar settings and by eliminating architectural barriers that interfere with patients' control and privacy.

The Nutritional and Nurturing Aspects of Food : Providing choice and personalized service in combination with sound nutritional practices.

Information and Education : Giving patients, families and the community increased access to information and educating patients so that they can participate in decisions about their treatment.

Family, Friends and Social Support: Encouraging the involvement of family and others, including volunteers, in the care of patients.

Spirituality: Making chapels, gardens and a meditation labyrinth available and including chaplains as members of the health-care team.

Human Touch: Offering services such as therapeutic massage and foot rubs to help reduce pain and stress.

Healing Arts: Involving local artists, musicians, poets and storytellers in creating a less-clinical environment.

Complementary Therapies : Expanding the choices offered to patients to support their healing journey include Aromatherapy's calming effect on agitated patients, therapy clowns, and specially trained certified dogs visit patients on request to elevate moods, lower blood pressure and enhance social interaction.

Healthy Communities: Working with schools, the Grant County Health Council, churches, civic groups, and other community partners to expand the boundaries of health care.