Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2014

Creating A Quiet Space

Honoring Health, Healing & Wholeness

Creating A Quiet Space

Intent to Contribute Statement:

There has always been a need at Kaiser San Rafael Medical Center to create a quiet space; a place to reflect,

relax, and renew oneself. The challenge initially was to find a room in our limited space. Three of us on the fourth

floor staff, Angela Canfield RN, Staff Nurse, Bella Ireland RN, ANM, and myself Mary Jo Griffith RN, Staff Nurse,

began this journey together. We wanted the input of our staff as to what they would like to see in a quiet space.

To obtain this information we asked for input at staff meetings, shift huddles, and in everyday conversation. The

items most mentioned we're music, candles, a sound machine, comfortable seating and a fountain. After much

searching we found a supply room on our floor which we could use. The cupboards were removed and the walls

were painted a soft blue and light green. Two chairs and two small tables were obtained from the hospital's

warehouse. We were now on our way to creating a healing space for our floor. Upon entering the room one

see's the words "hope, faith and love" stenciled on the far wall. Below this is a bulletin board with a collection of

staff photos in the shape of a heart. On another wall is a poster of flowers. Beneath this is a table with a CD

player and a collection of CD's that are of soft music. There is also a sound machine and a battery operated

candle.

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… ContinuedWe have also placed a binder in the room for anyone who wishes to share their thoughts, poems or drawings.

Blank cards with envelopes are provided to address a note to another and place it on the bulletin board. A yoga

mat with an instruction sheet on various stretches and a chair massage pad are also in the room. An official

name for the room has not yet been chosen, but someone did place a paper next to the door with the words

Mediation Room on it. We would like to get a consensus from the staff as to what they would like to call the

room and have a permanent room marker placed on the door. There have been some issues with the quiet

space. It had been planned initially that the room would only be used by the fourth floor staff. Upon seeing and

hearing about the need through out our hospital community we wish to open the room to all our members.

After not having used the room in awhile, I happened to open the binder and found two entries. One entry was a

poem that a staff member had written. The other was from a patient's husband. He wrote, " thank- you nurses

and doctors for your career path, led by your passion to help/care for others that brought you to caring for my

wife." Such a heartfelt testament towards the caring staff of the fourth floor. Lovingly, we wish to dedicate this

room to the compassionate caring of the staff on our fourth floor.

Creating A Quiet Space

Inspired Contributor(s): Mary Jo Griffith – Caritas Coach

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Service Area: Marin/Sonoma

Medical Center: SRF

Affiliation: PCS

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Year Shared: 2014

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Poster

ID #: H06

Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2014-June, Marin Sonoma, San Rafael, Poster, Caritas Coach, Patient Care Services

Healing Environments

Descriptor Healing Lounge

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Creating A Quiet Space

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Creating A Quiet Space

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