St. Catherine Hospital announces the implementation of The C.A.R.E. channel for patient television.  This innovative service is part of our commitment to promote healing environments for patients, families and staff.

Developed to ease the negative impact of current institutional environments, The C.A.R.E. Channel offers respite from commercial television, noise and other stressful distractions. Combining beautiful nature images and soothing instrumental music, this program serves as an environmental tool to enhance and promote healing. The images transition slowly to avoid being agitating or confusing for those on high levels of medication. The original music selections are accessible while also being non-generational and non-regionally biased. 

 

Unique to The C.A.R.E. Channel, the program is designed to support the circadian rhythms and includes a special nighttime star-field for overnight broadcast supporting restfulness and sleep.

 

 

While the environment is experienced on all sensory levels, sound is by far the most invasive factor and affects the entire population, impacting patient satisfaction, confidentiality, compliance, 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 results.

 

First developed in 1992, The C.A.R.E. Channel is installed in hospitals in 45 states. Hospitals using this system have reported reductions in the use of pain medication and restraints, and an improved quality of rest for patients. They have also noticed a decrease in the level of noise on the units and an increase in patient and staff satisfaction due to lower stress levels.