Honor Red, White and Blue

 

St. Tammany Health System created its Honor Red, White and Blue program to ensure U.S. military veterans – patients, volunteers, colleagues and physicians – receive the respect and recognition they deserve in return for their service. 

In addition to making sure their status as a veteran is known to others in the hospital, the program also provides for a flag tribute ceremony for recently deceased veterans as well as a Red, White and Blue veteran display established by the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation in the main lobby of our hospital. 

“It is our privilege to honor the men and women of our armed forces for their service to our country,” said Melanie Rudolph, foundation specialist. “We feel it is our duty to recognize them for their heroic actions and that the Honor Red, White and Blue program at St. Tammany Parish Hospital is an excellent way to do that.”

For patients

At registration, patients are asked if they are a veteran.

If they are, they are asked if it's OK for the hospital to recognize them during their stay and thanked for their service.

They are noted as a veteran in their medical record, which will carry over to future admits

A star will show on by the patient’s name in the hospital's record system and in the heading of the patient’s information.

Upon being admitted, a flag sticker will be placed on the patient’s door tag.

Staff are encouraged to say, “Thank you for your service” whenever they are with the patient.

For STHS colleagues, volunteers and physicians

Department heads identify staff members who are veterans, while Human Resources asks all new employees upon hire.

All staff who are veterans receive a special blue badge holder with a flag on the surface.

The program is explained in staff orientation.

Staff members who are veterans and working on Veterans Day receive a free meal.

All volunteers and staff physicians receive the same treatment.

At the time of death

Staff caring for a deceased veteran will notify the house supervisor that a veteran has died. The house supervisor will notify Security and coordinate the time of transport of the body to the morgue or funeral home.

Chaplain, staff nurse or supervisor will obtain the deceased's family’s permission to honor the deceased in a flag tribute.

The hospital operator will announce overhead, “Attention please! Honor Red, White and Blue! Attention please! Honor Red, White and Blue!”

Security will take the flag to the patient’s room and drape it over the body.

Available staff will line the hallways leading to the exit where the coach is parked.

Security will escort the body to the exit, where the hospital chaplain will recognize the veteran by name and say a few words.

The flag will be folded and presented to the family.