Interfaith Spiritual Care

Chaplain Requests and Referrals

Patients and families of all faiths can request a visit with a chaplain. Any member of the health care team can assist with making a referral. People call on chaplains for a number of reasons.

A chaplain may be called when a patient or family member experiences:

Apprehension about surgery
Overwhelming illness (diagnosis or prognosis)
Loneliness and isolation
Discouragement and despair
Helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of meaning and purpose
Fear and anxiety
Conflict with others
Facing change and loss
Struggling with the meaning of life
Feeling cut off from God
Grappling with questions about life and death
Needing the comfort of prayer or spiritual support
Needing support when deciding changes in code status
Working through the loss of a loved one
Facing ethical dilemmas

Other situations when a chaplain may be called include:

During a Code Blue or other crisis situation
When a patient is near death, or has died
When a patient wishes to receive the eucharist/communion or the sacrament of Reconciliation/confession
If a patient or family member asks for the sacrament of healing/Anointing
of the Sick
IfS a patient or family wants their local clergy person contacted
When other types of spiritual care are needed
For staff support

Chaplains can be reached Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 401-444-4746 or by calling the call center at 401-444-5108.

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