RISE Peer Responder Program Launches to Give Employees Another Layer of Support

Health care workers regularly encounter challenges and difficult situations like an unexpected death, a medical error or a difficult patient or visitor interaction. 

The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) program is here to help. 

RISE, which launched this month, is another way Methodist is supporting staff and providers. The program provides 24/7 on-call peer responders who are ready to assist with a range of challenges.

If you experience a challenging or stressful experience while caring for a patient or engaging with a hospital visitor, please call (402) 354-RISE (7473) and ask to speak with a RISE peer responder. You’ll receive a call back within 60 minutes.

When Should I Call?

RISE is intended for staff members who have experienced stressful patient- and visitor-related interactions. These situations can include:

• A challenging medical emergency
• A medical error, even if it didn’t result in a negative patient outcome
• Situations that challenge your moral beliefs
• Unexpected patient deaths
• Workplace violence, including verbal and physical assaults

Callers may remain anonymous if they wish, and there is no reporting or follow-up with the caller. Interactions are kept in the strictest of confidence. 

RISE is currently available as a pilot program only at Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital and their hospital-based clinics. They are the first facilities in Nebraska to launch RISE.  

More Support Resources

Other available support systems for Methodist staff members include:

• Hospital chaplains 
• Best Care EAP (all Methodist staff members and providers get five free counseling sessions)
• The BioEthics Support Team (BESTeam) – Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women's Hospital only 

Speak with your supervisor if you’re unsure of who to call for your specific situation.  

Questions?

Email @email, visit the Resilience page on the intranet or call Melissa Strong at (402) 354-7814.

The RISE program is possible thanks to funding from Methodist Hospital Foundation and its donors.