In continued efforts to improve patient experience, McLaren Bay Region has partnered with the Bay County Library System to offer Bay County residents free digital resources during their stay.
In addition to the Bay County Library System's extensive database, which includes resources on genealogy, languages, legal matters, consumer reports, etc., patients will be assisted in gaining access to apps Libby and Hoopla which offer eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, tv shows, movies, and music - all free of charge.
"We all know being admitted to the hospital can be scary and overwhelming, but it can also be quite lonely," said Alee Hill, MLIS, Library and Continuing Medical Education Coordinator at McLaren Bay Region.
According to a New Yorker article, "Can Reading Make you Happier," reading can have several positive effects on a person. "Reading has been shown to put our brains into a pleasurable trance-like state, similar to meditation, and it brings the same health benefits of deep relaxation and inner calm."
"The purpose of this collaboration with the Bay County Library System is to improve the overall patient experience which creates a more ideal healing environment," continued Hill. "Happy patients heal faster, and that's our goal."
Any patient who is a current Bay County resident will have access to these free resources. Patients who already have a library card can download the apps, Libby and Hoopla, to get started. Those who do not have a library card can register for a temporary 4-digit pin number to use during their hospital stay.
For more information on the program, please reach out to Alee Hill at (989) 894-3783 in the Orlen J. Johnson, MD - Health Science Library, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Current inpatients are able to dial x43783 using their landline room phone.