Pastoral care
The Ethics and Compliance Department participates in discussions regarding Pastoral Care Services. The pastoral care services at each HCA Healthcare facility vary. In some facilities, there are large, mature clinical chaplaincy programs. In other facilities, there may be someone who simply coordinates visits by local clergy when their congregants are hospitalized. HCA Healthcare maintains a large network of professionally certified and accredited chaplains that shares ideas and discusses possible endeavors.
In November of 2002, the Ethics, Compliance and Corporate Responsibility Department with the assistance of several members of our pastoral care network, developed a primer and an accompanying videotape to assist our facilities in assessing their pastoral care needs and identifying a program model to meet those needs. While spiritual support is obviously a matter of patient choice, it is our belief that excellent hospitals provide resources for this spiritual support in a conscientious and professional way for those patients who desire it.