How to approach a hospital patient in an intial encounter.

1. Meeting a Patient for the FirstMeeting a Patient for the First
TimeTime
Creative ways to break the ice!Creative ways to break the ice!

2. Be Friendly and GenuineBe Friendly and Genuine
 Don’t go in with a hidden agendaDon’t go in with a hidden agenda
 Smile and be gentleSmile and be gentle
 Ask them how they are doingAsk them how they are doing
 Don’t be in a hurryDon’t be in a hurry
 Take the time to listen to them and theirTake the time to listen to them and their
problemsproblems
 Don’t come off “preachy”, just talk like youDon’t come off “preachy”, just talk like you
would to a friendwould to a friend

3. Prayer is the MissionPrayer is the Mission
 The primary purpose of your visit is to offerThe primary purpose of your visit is to offer
prayer and comfortprayer and comfort
 If they refuse prayer, do NOT be offendedIf they refuse prayer, do NOT be offended
 Sometimes they may refuse prayer butSometimes they may refuse prayer but
STILL they may want to talk to you.STILL they may want to talk to you.
 Ask them if they have a specific prayerAsk them if they have a specific prayer
requestrequest

4. Ice BreakersIce Breakers
 If you are in the Emergency Room ask the patientIf you are in the Emergency Room ask the patient
if they need a blanket, if yes get a warmed oneif they need a blanket, if yes get a warmed one
from the main hallway in the ER.from the main hallway in the ER.
 If it is a man watching sports on TV, feel free toIf it is a man watching sports on TV, feel free to
discuss sports, don’t walk in and start preaching.discuss sports, don’t walk in and start preaching.
Remember Jesus discussed water with the womanRemember Jesus discussed water with the woman
at the well.at the well.
 Make a note of balloons and flowers, you can sayMake a note of balloons and flowers, you can say
something like…..”Boy your family loves you, looksomething like…..”Boy your family loves you, look
at these pretty flowers”at these pretty flowers”

5. Never!Never!
 Give a patient food or drink!Give a patient food or drink!
 Argue religionArgue religion
 Belittle a patients faith or lack thereofBelittle a patients faith or lack thereof
 Take sides with family members, patients,Take sides with family members, patients,
or anyone…remember your focus isor anyone…remember your focus is
PRAYER.PRAYER.

6. AlwaysAlways
 Make sure your breath is freshMake sure your breath is fresh
 You look professionalYou look professional
 Be friendly and compassionateBe friendly and compassionate
 Respect everyone's beliefsRespect everyone's beliefs
 Remember people are different (culturally,Remember people are different (culturally,
racially,racially,

7. AlwaysAlways
 Make sure your breath is freshMake sure your breath is fresh
 You look professionalYou look professional
 Be friendly and compassionateBe friendly and compassionate
 Respect everyone's beliefsRespect everyone's beliefs
 Remember people are different (culturally,Remember people are different (culturally,
racially,racially,