Henney has championed a program at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Santa Clara, Calif, to offer workshops, tapes, and affirmations to patients who want to prepare psychologically for their procedures. May. The hospital is using a program developed by Peggy Huddleston. The one-hour workshop is given by nurses trained and certified by Huddleston, a psychotherapist and researcher. The program is offered through the anesthesia preoperative clinic. Patients are informed about it in the surgical clinics and during their preoperative phone call.
Patients use the books and tapes at home to continue their preparation.
On the day of surgery, those who have requested the service are noted on the surgery schedule. Patients bring their tape and tape player so they can listen in the preoperative area. They may be paired with a trained volunteer who can reinforce their healing statements. Many do it anyway. Patients are encouraged to listen to their tapes in the recovery unit and during recuperation at home.