Chaplain Requests & Referrals

Patients and families of all faith traditions and no faith tradition 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.
Some of the most common are:

• 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
• If 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 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 401-444-4746 or by calling the call center at 401-444-5108. During weekday nights and weekends, an on-call multi-faith chaplain can be reached for emergencies by calling the Call Center at 401-444-5108.