STAFF at Frome Community Hospital have pledged to end ‘PJ paralysis’ in a bid to help patients decrease their stay in hospital.
Rather than stay in their pyjamas all day, patients are being encouraged, where possible, to get dressed and keep active whilst in hospital.
It is thought that keeping active will help patients with their breathing; their ability to fight infections; and improve their appetite, sleep and mood. Whilst at the same time decreasing the risk of bed sores, muscle weakness and fatigue, dizziness, risk of falls and pain.
As part of the new initiative, staff were asked to make a pledge to support the implementation of #EndPJParalysis@Frome and take part in a PJ day.
Matron at the hospital, Hayley Hughes said, “We held a PJ day on Monday 4th December where we asked all staff to wear their pyjamas for one day so they could experience how patients feel and how important it is to encourage getting dressed and mobilisation where possible.
“We invited staff and patients to an organised group exercise session ran by our therapies teams to encourage a `Get Up and Go’ theme. This was a seated exercise class including games to join in with afterwards.
“All staff were invited to share how they felt on that day and forms were also handed out to all staff so they could tell how wearing PJs in public made them feel. Some staff commented that wearing PJs all day made them feel unmotivated, vulnerable and self concious.
“We will be incorporating information into our patient admission pack with support for encouraging getting up and getting dressed and what a difference every little bit of activity can help to keep you healthy. Continuing tasks patients were able to do at home such as washing and dressing or walking to the bathroom are so valuable, and asking family members or friends to bring in your shoes, slippers, day and night clothes, hearing aids, glasses, toiletries and make up. All these things patients need to feel better and more like themselves.”
