Good News to Share: Dignity Health Central Coast Nurse Creates ‘Relaxation Rooms’ to Offer Respite to Health Care Staff

Respite rooms provide tranquility to physicians, nurses, and staff members

CENTRAL COAST, CA – April 9, 2020 – Sarah Phillips, a Marian Regional Medical Center Critical Care Unit Clinical Educator, created two ‘Relaxation Rooms’ for fellow staff to provide a space of respite and quiet during these considerably stressful times. The tranquil spaces are filled with items from Sarah’s own home, as well as from an outpouring of community donations. 

“I recognized the need for my colleagues to have a space they could retreat to if they needed, and I wanted to be able to help in any way I could, says Phillips. “Everyone is feeling overwhelmed and if I could provide a source of peace for these amazing nurses, I was happy to do so.”

Sarah spent two days creating the rooms, which are quiet with low light, and include greenery, aromatherapy, relaxing white noise, massage chairs, and inspirational reading materials. Sarah spent two days filling the spaces with items she knew would be calming for those that needed a moment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rooms are located within the hospital directly across from the Critical Care Unit, and have gotten significant use since being created. 

 

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About Dignity Health Central Coast 
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five award-winning hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to provide additional funding to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care. 

 

For more information, visit dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.