by Nick Jacobs

The other night I was surfing the net and saw a comment written in a blog by an employee who is working in a Planetree hospital. She explained her interpretation of what the Planetree philosophy means. The author objected to showing support and warmth to a family by hugging or touching in any way.

Part of the beauty of Planetree is that it isn't just about hugging or touching someone in pain or comforting someone who is afraid. It is about loving and nurturing, and it is about providing the type of care for your patients that you would for your own loved ones. Planetree is an attitude. Planetree is what's between your ears; a mind-set, an approach, a way of thinking, a frame of mind.

When we first introduced the Plantree philosophy of care, the Balanced Budget Amendment Act was wreaking havoc on our urban, non-teaching hospital. Because our payroll levels were behind those of one of our neighboring hospitals, we alternated between a revolving door exodus of our nurses and a disgruntled group of individuals who, regardless of the circumstances, wanted higher salaries immediately. Because of our passion for the Planetree philosophy, it became a target of those disgruntled employees. You would constantly hear people say, “We are not being paid well enough to be Planetree.”

During that time we did everything that we could to adjust those salaries and, about 16 months into the unrest, were finally able to do just that, but, more importantly, we realized that the Planetree philosophy could not be deployed with 100 percent dependence upon nursing alone. It was during that period of consternation that we began to circulate volunteers, reiki masters, massage, pet and music therapists throughout the patient floors.

Most importantly, however, we worked very hard at helping every one of our employees understand that it is not about customer service, it is way beyond customer service. Planetree is about sensitivity, passion for appropriate care, and loving, nurturing kindness. It is about creating a healing environment.