The Ishraqat Ta'afi initiative at the Qassim Heart Center aims to provide psychological support to patients
In a move reflecting the healthcare sector's commitment to implementing comprehensive care concepts, the Prince Sultan Center for Cardiac Medicine and Surgery in Qassim, part of the Qassim Health Cluster, launched a unique initiative entitled "A Glimmer of Recovery." This initiative aims to transform the experience of inpatients by integrating mental and physical well-being, in line with the latest global treatment protocols that focus on humanizing medical services.
Details of the initiative and its operational mechanism
The initiative is primarily based on moving patients from enclosed rooms and the traditional hospital environment to open spaces, allowing them to have regular exposure to sunlight and fresh air. This process is carried out according to strict safety procedures and under the direct supervision of a specialized medical and nursing team to ensure the patient's health remains stable while outside the room. This helps break the monotonous treatment routine and reduce feelings of isolation that may accompany long periods of hospitalization.
The medical and psychological importance of sun exposure
This step is based on scientific and medical facts that confirm the importance of sunlight in the recovery process. Physiologically, exposure to natural daylight helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality at night, a crucial factor in the recovery of heart patients. Sunlight also stimulates the production of serotonin, known as the "happiness hormone," which plays a pivotal role in improving mood and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression—symptoms common among patients in intensive care and those recovering from major surgery.
Target groups and initiative objectives
The "Recovery Beacon" initiative targets carefully selected groups, including stable ICU patients, post-open-heart surgery and catheterization patients, and those whose medical team deems to be in dire need of psychological support. The initiative aims to boost patients' morale and strengthen their motivation to recover, which positively impacts their response to medical and surgical treatments and reduces their hospital stay.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
This initiative is not an isolated event, but rather part of the significant transformation underway in the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector under Vision 2030. The healthcare transformation program focuses on enhancing the patient experience and placing the beneficiary at the center of healthcare. The initiatives of the Qassim Health Cluster serve as a prime example of implementing these strategies, shifting from simply treating physical ailments to enhancing the patient's quality of life and providing a comprehensive healing environment that considers psychological and social aspects as an integral part of the treatment plan.
