Monument seeks volunteers

Want to make a difference in the lives of hospital patients or their loved ones? Now, through Monument Health Custer Hospital and Clinic’s volunteer program, you have that chance.
The program, which launched in August after over a year of planning and delays, offers volunteers a chance to provide vital services hospital staff need. The volunteers fall under different job descriptions, which vary slightly based on talents, skills and preferences of the volunteers, as well as individual department needs.
Lori Burnham, patient access special and volunteer coordinator for Monument Health Custer Hospital, said when she was  on the patient/family advisory council she wanted to see a volunteer program launch. After taking an emerging leaders course through Monument the volunteer project became hers, and the process began to find volunteers and implement the program.
The program was just set to launch when Burnham had to undergo a second ankle surgery, and was again set to launch when COVID-19 hit.
“We had to stop right in our tracks and could not do anything because we couldn’t have anybody come in the hospital,” she said.
Once visitors were allowed to return to the hospital, however, it was decided the time was right to launch the program.
Volunteers are different from visitors within the Monument Health system. Visitors are acting on their own behalf, whereas a volunteer provides services that will either directly or indirectly benefit one or more patient or resident, and the volunteer is acting on behalf of Monument Health rather than as an individual.
Volunteers need to complete an application and meet requirements. There is no charge for the services.
Requirements that must be met include:
• Reference checks
• An interview
• A background check
•A routine health screening to ensure their health is protected
• Review of Monument Health orientation materials, including privacy/confidentiality practices, safety practices, infection prevention, patient care guidelines and code of conduct
• A confidentiality agreement must be signed
• Job specific training as required
• Ongoing annual education updates
Not only are there volunteers who come into the hospital to visit patients, but there are also volunteers who help outside the hospital. They are not required to complete the application, background check, etc. These volunteers have been busy making pillows, lap blankets, quilts, etc., for patients within the hospital. They also help with chores such as putting together “distraction kits,” packages of puzzles, coloring pages, etc., that patients can do to pass time while hospitalized.
“I’ve got like three that are helping with pillows. We have an assembly line,” Burnham said “One sews forms and brings them to me, another stuffs them and brings them back. We had one initial sewer who was gung ho and was a blessing to getting us started.”
Volunteers can also have a material drive, rounding up cloth for pillows and blankets or crayons and markers for the distraction kits.
Diane Dennis is one of the program’s volunteers, and three days a week she goes to the hospital to visit with patients.
“I enjoy it very much. The patients seem happy to see me and the hospital staff is wonderful,” Dennis said. “The smile on a patient’s face is the most rewarding.”
Dennis was prompted to become a volunteer by her own hospitalization experience. A few years ago she was in the hospital for six weeks, and did not have any family in town. Several friends and family members stopped by when they could.
“On the days no one came, I thought how nice it would be to have someone stop by for a few minutes just to say ‘hi’ or ask if they needed anything, but not stay for too long,” she said.
“The staff and patients love her. I’ve gotten thank you cards from the patients,” Burnham said of Dennis. “They really appreciate someone coming in and making them comfortable. It’s not that the nurses don’t, it’s just a little something extra. It’s become really appreciated.”
More volunteers are always needed. Anyone interested can visit Monument Health’s website and fill out an application for the in-hospital setting volunteerism, or contact Burnham at 673-9400 or via email at lburnham@monu
menthealth.com.
From taking patients to the Healing Garden to playing cards with patients, volunteers can help brighten the day for someone who is having a tough time.
“I’m willing to take names and numbers and put people together to make things happen here to make the patient feel better,” Burnham said. “(Volunteers) can’t hep them medically, but we can help them mentally and feel like we do care. I think it’s a great program. I’m excited.”
“I absolutely would encourage others to do it,” Dennis said. “There are plenty of opportunities for other volunteers.”