The Patient Art Choices program (formerly called the Healing Art Cart) allows long-term patients choose the art on display in their own hospital rooms. Each participating unit is provided with enough art to fill the desired number of patient rooms, as well as a cart containing additional print options for patients to choose from. Patients can be given the opportunity to choose preferred art for their rooms upon admission, at regular intervals or at any time that best meets the needs of each individual unit. All art on the cart is vetted in accordance with Evidence-Based Art research for the inclusion of elements known to reduce stress and positively impact health outcomes.
““I went so many places in that tree. I would wake up, open my eyes, and go there. Each limb was somewhere else other than my stress and loneliness.””
The Patient Art Choices program has been carefully designed to meet specific needs of long-term hospital care units. This includes considerations of infection control, through the use of a non-porous print medium that can stand up to hospital-grade cleaners without impacting the imagery.
The program can also be adapted for retirement centers, memory care communities, and nearly any other facility where clients spend a significant amount of time in one room.
Front and rear surfaces of these prints can be sanitized with hospital-grade cleaners, making them a perfect choice for healthcare facilities where infection control is a concern. The inset frame with integrated security hanger allows fast & secure installation, and eliminates the need for a bulky frame or breakable glass.
By combining images that align with Evidence-Based Art research and a program design that provides positive distractions and a sense of control for patients, the Patient Art Choices program can bring the following benefits to your facility:
Reduced costs resulting from lower staff turnover, decreased cost of care and shorter hospital stays.
Increased income by elevating the perceived quality of your organization in the view of prospective clients, foundations and donors.
Reduced stress and anxiety for clients, staff and visitors.
Improved health outcomes for clients receiving any kind of medical care.
Better patient experiences including perceived quality of care.
““Your artwork is especially helpful during dressing changes. Staff can take a mini mind break when looking up from sometimes gruesome scenes.””
Special thanks to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, who made way for the pilot of this program in the Legacy Oregon Burn Center. During the pilot program, fully 100% of patients indicated that the program improved their overall experience in the hospital. Survey results also showed very positive impacts on other health measures, including 79% of respondents indicating a reduction in stress or anxiety, and 33% saying it helped with pain management.
If you’d like to learn more about the development of the program and the pilot study, you can do so here.
““It provided a beautiful escape from the daily (painful) recovery process associated with burns.””
Thanks to the lessons learned and the feedback received during the pilot run, other facilities may now pre-order the Patient Art Choices program for their patients.