Sleep Pod Brings Rest to UH St. John Medical Center Workers

A sleep pod now brings much-deserved rest to employees of University Hospitals St. John Medical Center.

It is a great way for health-care workers to catch a little shut-eye while working overtime during these Covid-challenged times.

The HOHM Sleep pods were first installed at UH Main Campus in Cleveland. UH St. John Medical Center in Westlake received its first pod last week.

The luxury sleep pods provide a private, safe, comfortable and clean space to unwind that fits work schedules.

The pods are spacious and sound blocking and may be booked by staff via Tablet. Black-out shades provide privacy.

Inside the pod, charging ports for laptops and cell phones are installed. The main feature is a comfortable Tempur-Sealy mattress. Interior HEPA air filter and PDI sanitation wipes keep it clean and fresh.

The pod can be booked online for short, 15 minute catnaps up to longer one hour sessions. On completion, hospital Environmental Services sanitizes the unit.

“UH Cleveland was our first installation and it has been a huge hit with all the staff – ER nurses, ICU nurses, doctors,” reports Nik Woods, founder and CEO of the San Diego-based company.

“We’ve had every type of healthcare worker use it – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospital police, housekeeping, all the people that make the hospital go 24/7,” says Woods. “It’s ‘Sleep on the Go.’ People eat meals on the go all the time, so why not sleep on the go?”

“HOHM Sleep Pods are another way UH St. John Medical Center is investing in Vision Zero: No Harm, No Suffer, No defects. This time it is with a sleep pod for staff who need to rest before their shift, during their break, or before they safely drive home to be with their families,” says Jonathan Sague, Chief Operating Officer, UH St. John Medical Center.

Sague, a former flight nurse practitioner with six years experience in helicopter EMS, adds “Aviation has learned many lessons from human error, leading to many rules and regulations to prevent the same error from reoccurring. In turn, hospitals have learned from aviation about human sleep needs, the ability to nap during shifts, and mandatory rest time in-between flights to ensure mental clarity and good decision making during critical decision points.

“UH St. John is applying these lessons to health care workers who need a restful break while at work. They make our hospital a better place to work and a safer place to receive care,” adds Sague, a former flight nurse practitioner with six years experience in helicopter EMS.

“UH St. John is applying this lesson learned to healthcare workers who need a restful break while at work. This makes our hospital a better place to work and a safer place to receive care.”

“More than ever, the healthcare team caring for our patients are feeling higher levels of stress and fatigue,” says Cathy Knorzer, Chief Nursing Officer, UH SJMC. “The Leadership team is hopeful our teammates can take time to utilize the POD for a 15-30 minute rest throughout their shift or a power nap before driving home after a long shift.”

Healthcare workers have been working tirelessly and for many, many hours since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. What better way to support the team and ensure their well-being than with a refreshing time-out.