Each year May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, a time to thank the nurses that play such an important role in the care of our patients and loved ones.  They bring into their daily work knowledge, kindness, and understanding that keep patients cared for and comfortable.

Show You Care – Nurses spend a great deal of time caring for others, and they may not have the time to pamper themselves.  Giving gifts that focus on them and their own lifestyles can show how much you need them and care for their well-being.

Exhibit Their Pride – Nursing takes dedication. Give them a gift that enables them to show pride in what they do, and the commitment they give show to others.  They will continually be reminded of the importance of their work.

Be Supportive – Show that you support causes near and dear to them, something that they may come across in their daily work.  Taking the time to show that there is a common goal can serve as a motivator to continue their hard work.

Thank them for the commitment to others by showing them how much their work is appreciated!

Hospitals can be a scary place, especially for kids.  Recently my daughter had a procedure done at a local children’s hospital and she was in good spirits walking in, but when it came time for vitals and medication, she wanted nothing to do with it.  Lucky for us, this hospital works with children every day, and was able to offer some comfort for her.

The nurse let her pick a sticker after her vitals were taken.  After she was given medication, another nurse came in with random toys, not just to play with, but she could choose one to take home!

The staff also provided us with a blanket, handmade and donated by a local group, for use in the hospital and to take home.  My favorite part, I must admit, was the ipad 2 they let us – err, I mean her – use throughout the procedure to keep her occupied.  It also worked well to keep me preoccupied and less worried.

Keeping kids occupied and feeling secure during a difficult appointment can be comforting, and allow the nurses and doctors to do what they need to do.  Things like balls, toys and coloring books can make the day easier for everyone – patients, parents, and staff.

I won’t soon forget the nurses and staff that took care of my daughter. She was a real trooper the entire day and the results were extremely positive.  Now we’re just trying to convince dad to buy us an ipad!

Warm temps and the bright, long days are here!  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for this weather through a very long winter.  But now that we’re spending more time playing in the sun, it’s definitely to time to take some extra precautions.

Before we head outside for the day, I cover my kids in sunscreen, and then I make sure to reapply multiple times throughout the day.  I want to be sure to protect their skin from the dangers of the sun, whether it is painful sunburns today, or the risks of skin cancer down the road.

In addition to protecting their skin, I am very careful to shield their eyes from the bright UV rays. My oldest loves sunglasses so much so that we just picked up her new prescription sunglasses!

Of course, I do need to set a good example, so not only do I put on sunscreen and sunglasses, but I am sure to wear a cool hat or visor for days in the sun also.

Be sure your patients and their families understand the risks of the sun, and the affects to their skin and eyes.   Hand out a UV Safe Indicating Card, making it easy to understand how intense the UV rays are, and one of many sun protection items so they are prepared for their outdoor activities all summer long!

I was sitting at the pediatrician’s office this past weekend – yes, my baby has her first ear infection – and my toddler wanted to color while we waited.  But she wondered why there were no coloring books or crayons on the table.

The office manager heard us, and gave my daughter an individual box of crayons and a coloring page printed off of the internet.  It so happens that they no longer keep these on the table.  It’s a way to limit the germs transferred between children.

As a parent, I think this is a great idea – each child gets their own crayons to color with and take home with their picture, and the doctor’s office gets to advertise on imprinted crayon boxes.  They could even get their logo printed on individual coloring books.

What is your office doing to keep patients relatively germ-free?  What extra steps are you taking?

For the past year or so, it has been difficult to not hear all of the discussions around Healthcare and Healthcare Reform. It is not always easy to understand, and patients just want to know what it means for them.

I’m no different. I am one of those patients who trusts my doctors, and rarely questions them as long as I get an answer. But I also like to be aware of my options and what is available, and given the changes occurring in our health system, I believe there are many others who just want to understand their options, too.

What types of options do you offer to complement your patients’ traditional course of care? Offering treatments and services complementary to the traditional methods gives your patients input in their care, making your relationship more meaningful and positive.

If you offer complementary services, take a look at the recently published 4imprint newsletter outlining how you can communicate these care options to your patients.

We were at a local amusement park for Father’s Day, and as the mom of a toddler, I always have hand sanitizer close by.  I used it after every ride, and before and after our picnic. Throughout the day, I thought it would have been a great way for healthcare providers to keep their contact information accessible to their patients.

With so many types of hand sanitizers available, in different sizes, shapes, and even colors, it is easy to find one that will fit your message.  Imprinting your practice logo and contact information will keep you close to patients.  See which one will work for your practice!

It seems that every spring, summer, and fall are full of opportunities to run or walk to raise awareness for some very noteworthy causes.  The participants actively raise contributions and donations, and then commit their time to partake in the event.  Why not thank them for their support and promote your healthcare practice and team participants with a t-shirt imprinted with the event information?

T-shirts, like the #6729 Hanes Tagless, come in many colors and sizes, and make great giveaways for participants, with event details imprinted on the back.  Or try the #10510 Sport Bottle, as a way to keep them hydrated throughout the event.

One of 4imprint’s new products, the Marathon Kit (#109089), includes everything runners need to stay in the race – Blistex, antibacterial wipes, blister cover, and bandages in a convenient nylon bag.

So many ways to get your name out, and thank them for their commitment!

We’ve just added couple of new products from the ‘To Go’ line that are perfect if your audience is a ‘bring their lunch to work’ crowd (and who isn’t  these days?!) or as part of a  healthy eating and wellness program.

There’s one for salad and one for cereal (my personal favorite), they’re sturdy and each feature a way to keep cold stuff cold (freezable trays or compartments) and dry stuff away from the wet – brown bagging it really CAN taste great!  These items cut down on the use of plastic baggies and wrap.  Both of these would tuck nicely in an imprinted  lunch sack or custom lunch cooler (a logo’d one is best!).

Salad To Go

Cereal To Go

If your organization promotes to anyone that is likely to use prescription medication, this is a handy giveaway to consider. Great imprint area, and very, very handy!

And handy promotional products are very, very effective.

We’ve all attended open houses for schools, neighborhood gatherings, and family events, but have you ever thought of holding an open house at your healthcare facility to network or offer new specialties to patients?

• Set up a meet & greet for staff to get to know new and existing patients.  Staff will have the opportunity to meet with patients on a personal level to get to know them better, understand their concerns, and learn about their families.  When greeted by name at the next appointment, both staff and patients will feel appreciated.
• Introduce the opening of a new location to the community.  Invite local media to the open house, as well as new and potential patients.  It’s a great opportunity to talk about the benefits of the new location, and make patients aware of your presence.
• Recruit new staff.  Invite prospective job candidates in to meet your staff currently in you organization.  They can get to know what positions and opportunities are available, and understand more about your business and plan.

Open houses provide many public relations opportunities for your healthcare facility, and provide an ideal occasion for you, your staff, and patients to network in a more casual setting.

For more information on planning an open house, take a look at 4imprint’s Healthcare Newsletter.