The idea of the campaign is to give the hospital’s staff a glimpse of the vulnerability and discomfort patients feel being clothed in their nightwear throughout the day and to encourage patients to start dressing themselves as soon as they are able.
According to Calvary Mater Newcastle’s media release about its new campaign, recen research shows that patients who make the effort to change into their day clothes while still in the hospital tend to recover more quickly, are able to return home sooner and gain their independence more quickly.
The study also found that getting up and getting moving has a positive impact on a patient’s mental, physical and emotional health.
As part of the #endPHparalysis campaign, Calvary Mater Newcastle wants to shed light on the tremendous toll bed rest can take upon elderly patients.
According to Calvary Mater Newcastle, 10-days of bed rest in a hospital can age the muscles in people over 80-years-old by 10-years and can result in 10% muscle loss.
The reconditioning of muscles takes twice as long the deconditioning and loss of muscle mass. For some patients, this loss of mass is the difference between independence and dependence.
Roz Everingham, the acting Chief Executive Office of Calvary Mater Newcastle, said: “Traditionally, when patients arrive at hospital, they would stay in their pyjamas or hospital gown until they are discharged.
“While sometimes it is necessary to wear pyjamas for a certain period of time, it is a common misconception that this is always best for recovery. For many patients wearing pyjamas reinforces feeling unwell and can lead to unintentional harm.
“By supporting our patients to get up, get dressed and get moving, we hope we can promote a speedier recovery allowing them to get back to the people and places they love as soon as possible.”
The #endPJparalysis campaign is an international campaign which was founded by Professor Brian Dolan. To learn more about the campaign, visit Calvary Mater Newcastle’s website.