Akron General Medical Center recently opened a Hospitality Discharge Center for patients who are waiting for rides home or addressing last-minute issues before leaving the hospital.
The six-bed transition area operates from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in a cath lab extension area that isn’t used at those times, a hospital spokeswoman said.
By opening the discharge center, the hospital is able to more quickly move discharged patients so the rooms are available for other people who need to be admitted, according to Akron General officials.
Patients who are discharged can use the center to schedule follow-up appointments, purchase medications needed at home, ask final questions and arrange transportation.
The center has iPads with Wi-Fi access, snacks and beverages and large-screen TVs for discharged patients while they wait to go home.
Nurses’ ethics ranking
When it comes to honesty and ethical standards, nursing ranks highest among all professions in a new Gallup poll released Monday.
Americans viewed nurses as having the highest ethical standards, with 82 percent of respondents ranking them “very high” or “high.”
Pharmacists and grade-school teachers were second, with 70 percent saying those professionals have very high or high ethical standards.
Medical doctors also scored well, with 69 percent of respondents giving their ethics high marks.
Lobbyists (6 percent), members of Congress (7 percent) and car salesmen (9 percent) received the lowest marks for honesty among Americans.
Mental health support
The Stark County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering programs to help patients and families.
A Peer-to-Peer 10-week education program for adults with mental illnesses will be held from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday beginning Jan. 2 at Stark State College, 6200 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton.
The free course is taught by trained peer teachers who are successfully managing their own conditions. Participants learn comprehensive information on mental illness, strategies for personal and interpersonal awareness and coping skills.
NAMI Stark County also is offering a 12-week Family-to-Family education course from 9-11:30 a.m. every Saturday from Jan. 18 through April 5. The free course is taught by local trained NAMI members.
The classes will include information about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression; coping with handling a crisis or relapse; basic information about medication; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation, and self-care strategies.
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 330-455-6264.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.