Cubby and I try to stop in to our local hospital as often as we can, usually right after a show as we are already in costume. It is fortunate that I happen to work in our hospital so we have never had to apply through volunteer services. (I guess they allow Cubby to come in as he is always escorted by me.)
Volunteer services is the department that would usually handle clowns, I think. A volunteer application would have to be filled out and I believe a background check is done. All volunteers have to fill out health forms and get vaccinated for Hepatitis as well as receive a TB test. A picture ID is worn by all hospital employees as well as volunteers. All volunteers get a booklet on policies and procedures, attend a meeting to discuss the highpoints of the book, as well as get a tour of the hospital.
We always stop at the nurses station on each floor and ask which patients would like a visit from Cubby and Cuddles. Sometimes the nurses, if they are not too busy, will go in ahead and ask the patient. Otherwise, I will stand in the doorway and ask permission to enter.
At our hospital we have hand sanitizer at the enterance to each room. We always use it.
The nurses are not allowed to tell us what is wrong with the patients due to patient confidentiality concerns. We always ask the nurses if we can use our feather duster or if we have a palmed squeaker, if it is ok to touch (examine) the patient (with the patient's permission, of course.) Another prop that's great here is the stethoscope with the plunger at one end! Sometimes we bring candy - and, again, we check with the nurses before offering it to the patient.
We don't do balloon animals because of the latex thing but we do occasionally blow up a glove and draw a face on it. Hmmm... maybe there's something I could twist from a glove?
A few fractured nursery rhymes, a spongeball trick or two, a pat on the hand and maybe a hug and we're on our way to the next room.
It doesn't matter if the patient is a child or not. Many of the eldery patients don't get many visitors and appreciate the company - if only for a short while. (This applies to nursing homes, too.)
We always come away from the hospital with a feeling that we were genuinely appreciated.
~Cuddles~
|