Pyjamaed hospital staff urge patients not to stay put

Thursday 18 October 2018

Patients should ditch pyjamas for normal clothes to help improve their recovery time, hospital staff are advising.

The recommendation comes as part of the #EndPJParalysis campaign launched this week, which will see staff take to the wards in their own pyjamas to help spread the message.

According to Head Nurse Becky Sherrington, the initiative - an idea embraced by nurses and medics across the world to get patients up, dressed and moving - "has many benefits."

“We know that for patients over the age of 80, a week in bed can lead to 10 years of muscle ageing, 1.5 kg of muscle loss, and may lead to increased dependency and demotivation. Getting patients up and moving has been shown to reduce falls, improve patient experience and reduce length of stay by up to 1.5 days," she explained.

Video: The initiative has already been introduced in many UK hospitals.

She added: “EndPJParalysis puts the focus on quality of patient time and experience. 

"The start of our #EndPJParalysis journey at the General Hospital began with a call to action for our staff to consider ways they could support patients to maintain some normality in their routine and get up, dressed and active. Our work has involved a close collaboration between nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs) who have that rehabilitative focus at the core of their work."

Families of those in hospital are also being asked to get on board by ensuring that their loved ones have appropriate clothing and well-fitting footwear available to them.

Ms Sherrington said that the run-up to the launch had so far seen "massive enthusiasm, dedication and a willingness to help make this work in Jersey", and hopes for similar success with patients this week and in future.

"With the support and commitment of the wider hospital teams, we can make a positive difference to our patients.”