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Pets Now Allowed in Hospital Wards
8 Oct
Summary
- São João Hospital in Portugal now allows pets in patient wards.
- Strict protocols ensure patient and animal safety during visits.
- The initiative aims to combat isolation and improve patient well-being.
São João Hospital in Portugal has launched an innovative program, 'Pets and Company,' allowing pets into patient wards. This initiative, part of the One Health São João strategy, aims to alleviate the isolation and exhaustion experienced by patients during prolonged hospital stays. Strict protocols have been developed from scratch, ensuring clinical safety and patient well-being.
The program involves a thorough assessment of risks and benefits by healthcare professionals. Families must provide veterinary certificates confirming up-to-date vaccinations and appropriate animal behavior. Visits are limited to thirty minutes weekly and are prioritized for patients with terminal illnesses or those hospitalized long-term.
Despite initial fears of zoonotic transmission, studies suggest the risk is minimal, especially when compared to human-to-human transmission. The hospital emphasizes that allowing pets provides significant therapeutic benefits, including reduced stress and improved patient morale, outweighing the residual risks.
This bold step by São João normalizes pet visits, recognizing them as integral to a patient's family. Unlike other European countries that use separate facilities, Portugal's approach integrates pets into wards under rigorous safety guidelines, prioritizing empathy and humanized care.
