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Is it Safe Outside? |
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Research has shown that outdoor exposure is beneficial in promoting health and recovery from illness. Patients with long lengths of stay (LOS) may spend days to weeks inside the walls of the hospital, which places these patients at higher risk for psychological distress. However, hospital employees may be wary of allowing patients outside due to concerns for patient injury or elopement. To combat this, a hospital in Florida developed a standardized protocol that included patient education, clarification of physician orders for activity, and an assessment tool to determine the patient's ability to go outside. One year after implementation, the organization reports no injuries or elopements.
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