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| Pet visitation policy requirements |
Typical pet visitation policy requirements, such as those at the University of Utah Hospitals and Sutter, include some (or all) of the following:
The treating physician gives the OK.
A nurse approves each visit before the family member brings in the pet.
The parent(s) sign a consent form releasing the hospital from liability.
The pet must be in good health (provide a current health certificate from the pet’s veterinarian showing the animal’s proof of good health and current vaccinations), bathed, brushed and brought into the facility on a leash or in a carrier.
The family must stay with the patient and pet during the visit. |
“For many patients, especially the elderly, their pets are like their children,” adds Bell. “They have the same needs and concerns about the pet as parents do when they are away from their children — they need to know that the pet is being taken care of while they are in the hospital, and also that the pet is coping with their absence. Allowing the patient to actually see the pet rather than just getting reports from a third party can help to allay some of those concerns and fears.”
Winn says one of her previous employers didn’t allow residents to bring their pets with them, and she recalls, “People who had to give up their pets had a harder time adjusting to the change. It was a longer process, because they were mourning the loss of their pet, and it made the adjustment more difficult.”
Breaking down the barrier
Probably the biggest roadblock to allowing personal pet visitation is administrative red tape. “The greatest challenge to allowing pets to visit is getting a policy written and approved that allows for pet visitation,” explains Martin. “Often the greatest resistance occurs due to concerns that the pet may transmit disease to the patient.”
However, Martin debunks that myth with more than two decades of experience. In her 25 years of allowing pet visitation for patients in the intensive care setting, she has never experienced a zoonotic disease transmitted to the patient by a pet.
“All of our doctors have been on board,” Matura explains. “Some have even called unprompted to make the arrangements. … I thought getting the doctors to go along with this might be a challenge, but it wasn’t.” Matura adds that the only challenge she’s faced is one of coordination, particularly when it’s for an imminent death. Then there are many steps involved in the approval process.
The effects of allowing pets to visit their owners in medical care facilities is probably best summed up by 1800s author George Eliot, who wrote “Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” For patients who are allowed to see their pets while staying in a medical care facility, they couldn’t agree more.
Juliet Farmer is a freelance writer for NurseWeek .
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