Spirits in the Medicinal World

July 5, 2017 7:45 PM

"Remote Presence" by Susan Palwick (Lightspeed, April 2017) is an SF/F novelette that draws heavily on the author's experience as a spiritual-care volunteer in an ER: "Every three years, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations conducted a weeklong on-site accreditation survey of each hospital in the country. The survey was thorough, merciless, and struck apocalyptic terror into hospital administrators ... Roxanne blew out a sharp breath. 'We can't have revenants in the building. That's one of the requirements.'" Spiritual Care Volunteers: A Training Resource [PDF] is a manual produced by NHS Wales that offers more practical insight into healthcare chaplaincy.
posted by Wobbuffet (7 comments total)

That manual was worth a skim if only because TIL about Temple garments: Respect for the special undergarment. Often removed by them before hospitalisation. Can be removed in emergency.
posted by unliteral at 10:34 PM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

That is the most apt description of a Joint Commission survey I have ever seen.
posted by catlet at 3:36 AM on July 6, 2017 [2 favorites]

This is a great story. In fact, everything you have posted recently has been great, Wobbuffet. Keep up the great work.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:48 AM on July 6, 2017 [2 favorites]

Wow, that and her other story on that website, "Cucumber Gravy," were impressive.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:25 AM on July 6, 2017 [3 favorites]

As an employed ED social worker this is way too real.

Loved it.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:02 PM on July 6, 2017

Sharing with EMT family members.
posted by doctornemo at 7:42 AM on July 7, 2017

Great story.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 7:43 AM on July 7, 2017