Latter-Day Saint Journal Entry

What I had expected to learn about this culture is more or less how healthcare facilities deal with families and their request of hospitals to facilitate members to assist in blessings.  I know that this has been difficult in the are of the hospital that I work in.  Families sometimes just expect that staff members should be able to do this.  The problem is: is it correct to act staff members to assist in a blessing on a patient they are caring for, or are they even LDS.  I know that because of the are we live in many just assume that all are LDS.  In our hospital we do not have assigned clergy to perform these services so We will sometimes page it overhead the PA system which has also been questioned whether appropriate.  What I did learn is that many hospitals do provide a way in which priesthood holders can be contacted in times of need, and allow these blessing to be performed in all circumstances.  I know that when family needs comfort they lean on their faith, and allowing a priesthood blessing should be facilitated for them if that is what the patient and their family needs at that particular time, whether or not you agree/ or it is your same faith. I have no particular feelings to share, other than what I have already stated.  I know that sometimes it can feel as though we are impeding care to the patient but we should never not allow a family to do something to will bring them comfort.