Bee Mindful® program treats first patient under the new initiative

Greenwich Hospital recently implemented Bee Mindful – a program that has been adopted by healthcare organizations across the country to improve how they care for people with special needs. It is designed to individualize care and provide a safe space for healing and wellness for this patient population. Shortly after launching the initiative, the hospital treated its first patient under the program in its pediatric unit.

David Finkel, 17, of North Stamford, has a rare genetic disorder that presents both physical and cognitive disabilities. When it became clear to Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group that Finkel needed his four wisdom teeth removed, the dental team recommended that he have the procedure at Greenwich Hospital to better suit his recovery. He spent one day at the hospital under the watchful eye of the pediatric nurses and physicians.

Finkel’s mother, Nicole Raucher expressed her gratitude for the specialized care her son received at the hospital. “David's room had certain blankets, lights and toys that made the experience much more comfortable for him. The team at Greenwich Hospital was aware and knowledgeable regarding David's needs, which made a difficult procedure much better,” she said.

Studies show that a traditional healthcare approach for patients with special needs often results in aversions to future medical care. Medical environments can feel overwhelming and scary, leading to delays in procedures, tests and treatments. Many families who have members with special needs avoid or wait to seek medical treatment due to poor previous experiences.

The Bee Mindful program provides education to hospital staff on the unique needs of people with special needs and how to improve care for this patient population, as well as a Patient Neurobehavioral Assessment tool (PNAT), which is an assessment and intervention tool that individualizes and provides continuity of care.

“Our partnership with Bee Mindful is another shining example of Greenwich Hospital’s commitment to quality care,” said Chief Nursing Officer Anna Cerra, RN, DNP. “With this new program in place, we are proud to serve a population of people that have been historically marginalized in health care.”