After the COVID-19 pandemic, many reusable resources were removed from the inpatient behavioral health unit. Inpatient psychiatry is a locked unit where few personal items are allowed. This presents a challenge for the patients, which was addressed with a new patient library.
Patients admitted to psychiatry do not have access to mobile devices or media and have limited access to the world outside the unit. These measures are in place to supplement the therapeutic milieu but also to create a low-distraction environment. While the carefully curated environment assists patients in recovering from a crisis, the lack of ability to utilize media that is potentially comforting to them can be a challenge. The issue can manifest as a patient lashing/acting out and potentially harming themselves or others. Patients would frequently request books and magazines, but due to restrictions on multiple-use items, what little resources the unit had were eliminated or severely depleted.
In response to patients’ requests for more reading materials, a patient library was created in early 2023. As staff received requests from patients that they felt bored, needed something to occupy their time, and wanted reading materials, the creation of the library began. Feedback from the Press-Ganey survey also supported the need for more resources.
A book drive was held in May 2023 amongst the behavioral staff. All the donated books were carefully assessed and curated. The books went through a thorough vetting process to screen for therapeutic value. A master list was created that included the book’s title, author, synopsis and potential trigger warnings for the reader. Books containing content that included elicit behaviors, graphic violence or abuse and various other subjects that may be distressing to patients were restricted.
Surveys on the new library were conducted with the patients who were overwhelmingly satisfied with the resources. The library exists today with more than 70 books of multiple genres including non-fiction, informational, fantasy, fiction, religious texts and more. The reading materials have allowed for positive coping for patients, and have helped with the acquisition of knowledge regarding patient diagnosis.