Hospital Humor Programs Prepare for Flu Season:
Tighter Controls, Focus on Hygiene and Best Practices
Visitation policies and more stringent procedures have been established, and are now observed at many healthcare facilities in preparation for the flu season. The policies apply not just for the staff, but for volunteers as well.
Hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers should adhere to “Best Practices” related to hygiene and patient-visitor-staff contact in any season. This is a huge issue in the healthcare setting, and must be taken very seriously, observing “Best Practices” throughout visitations.
In selecting props and sight gag items to bring on Rounds, do NOT bring an item that:
- has a part that is loose or detachable
- could come apart and drop on the floor
- has the potentiality of dropping on the floor in your performance or during the presentation
- has unattached parts or pieces that could fall on the floor at any time
- Juggling paraphernalia: scarves, balls, and rings notoriously drop on the floor often, even by an experienced juggler
Bring items that:
- Can be easily carried, stowed safely away between uses (in pockets, etc.)
- Are simple to manipulate in performance routines
- Won’t fall on the floor all throughout the hospital, during or after performance
Hospitals are very serious about “Best Practices” in the healthcare setting. Be advised there is likely zero tolerance for not following “Best Practices” at all times on Clown Rounds. Not observing the procedures and following appropriate guidelines might cause an offending performer or group to be banned from a healthcare facility.
Consult with your hosting facility for more information on hygiene and facility policies if you are unsure of them.
Additional training on “Best Practices” and more is available through a new online A Heart 4 Clowning Mentoring-Training Program, based on my experience as the coordinator and training director for one of the oldest all-volunteer hospital clown groups, since 2003.
For information on Private Member-Only Online Mentoring-Training program for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns and Healthcare Family Entertainers: click on this link, to find out more
12/29/09
Hi—Lo!
Nice site and advice. I’ve been clowning in the Texas Medical Center in Houston at Texas Children’s and M. D. Anderson (cancer) Hospitals now for 6-1/4 yrs. and have been the Boss Clown for TCH for nearly 5 yrs. Yrs. ago, I had hospital working experience. Our group is Cheerful Clown Alley.
I think your involvement in putting out hospital clowning guidelines is great. However, in discussing guidelines (I realize hospitals differ), I think more specific references should be made regarding infection control due to many patients being susceptible immuno compromised individuals and, as importantly, to protect the clown….such as:
1. Hand washing (generally from antiseptic foam or gel dispensers on the wall near rooms) between each room regardless if touched anything (re-enforces the habit so don’t forget);
2. Not putting a clown bag or puppet or trick on patient’s bed, nightstand, etc…..hold or put on floor. Props, tricks and gifts must be kept off the floor.
3. Don’t let patient or visitor touch anything (i.e., a trick, puppet, etc.) that can not be thoroughly cleaned before entering the next room….have a partner clown help with the trick, etc.
4. Anything that is touched by the patient/visitor must either be left in the room or cleaned as above or discarded. Clean or individually wrapped gifts/trinkets are ok to leave.
5. Obviously don’t go to hospital to clown if you have any symptoms of a contagious disease…stay at home.
6. Don’t enter rooms which require face masks, gowns, gloves or have droplet precautions or isolation sign(s) on door. If in doubt, ask nurse.
7. Wear clean costumes.
8. Also, due to potential allergies or diet restrictions, no latex balloons or candy given out.
We also have strict guidelines on face painting at in-hospital events due to possible cross-infection with brushes, so much so, that generally tattoos are used instead.
Sorry this got so long….imagine, a talkative clown! Just a few thoughts. Hi-Lo the Clown
Hi Hi-Lo!
Thank you so much for your great comments! I apologize, they dropped out of our system, but they’re up now! Appreciate so much what you share, and I think they will not only remind, but also make many aware of the necessary precautions to be taken in Hospital Clowning!
This particular post was not meant to be an exhaustive all-inclusive list of recommended precautions (realizing each facility is different), but rather focusing on some simple strategies that would further support Best Practices that should be already in place, by listing out “5 Things not to Bring on Clown Rounds.”
Thanks so much for what you added here, Hi-Lo — you have helped to make this ‘list’ more comprehensive and an even more useful blog post!
Hope you will visit our site again, add your thoughts and comments
Let’s keep ‘em smilin’!
Becky “CarroTop Rainbo” Cortino