Spencer Hospital adds CaringBridge service

Spencer Hospital has formed a partnership with CaringBridge, a nonprofit Web service that connects families and friends when someone is facing a serious medical condition, treatment or in recovery. A CaringBridge Web site provides a place for users to post journal entries and photos, as well as receive messages of hope and encouragement in a guestbook.

"Hospitals and facilities quickly see uplifted spirits and reduced call levels when CaringBridge is used for patient and family communication," Judy Trucano, the CaringBridge partnership manager, said. "We're excited that Spencer Hospital has joined our mission to bring together a global community of care."

"This partnership will enhance our patient and family support system," Susan Zulk, director of public relations at the local hospital, added. "Having a CaringBridge Web site to post updates on allows families to focus their time and energy on the person who requires healing. There is an annual sponsorship cost, which the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation Board enthusiastically agreed to fund in order to provide our patients and families with this wonderful communication tool. We greatly appreciate the Foundation and the many people who support the Foundation's endeavors."

A CaringBridge Web site may be creating by visiting the hospital's Web site, at www.spencerhospital.org/patientsvisitors..., and clicking on the CaringBridge icon. By following a few simple steps, a personalized Web site complete with privacy options may be started in minutes. After receiving e-mail confirmation of the active site, authors can forward their Web site name and address to family and friends.

Patients do not have to currently be admitted to Spencer Hospital to use this service. They may have been transferred to another facility or even discharged to home.

"I just think that it's a service we really want to encourage people to use," Zulk said. "Whether they're home now or have been hospitalized or are no longer hospitalized, it's a good way to continue to offer communication and let people know what's going on and also give an avenue for people to give their support."