Emergency department closet offers fresh clothes and dignified discharge

During a traumatic medical event, it’s not uncommon for a patient’s clothes to be damaged, soiled or discarded.

The last thing patients need to think about during an emergency is washing or replacing their clothes. That’s why the MultiCare Capital Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) closet was created by several nurses who saw a barrier to healing and worked to address it.

“Before joining MultiCare, we’d donate nice clothes that we didn’t wear anymore to the ED,” says Casey Rieland, RN, Capital Medical’s director for operations and nursing. “We set up a random office as a closet where we’d put these clothes and just grab them when they were needed.”

Capital Medical joined the MultiCare network in 2021, becoming a nonprofit for the first time in the hospital’s history. As part of a nonprofit health care system, generous community donations through MultiCare Foundations Capital Pacific Region empowered staff to finance the closet using the Helping Hands fund.

Powered by MultiCare Foundations donors, the Helping Hands fund allows social workers and other care team members to immediately address barriers to care for patients. Contributions to the fund support costs that aren’t covered by insurance, such as prescription copays, transportation needs or medical equipment that may prevent patients from healing, causing them to be readmitted to the hospital.

At Capital Medical, staff use the fund to provide patients clean clothes and shoes when necessary and to support the existing “closet.”

“I’ve heard many times from staff that patients are very appreciative of these items,” says Adam Golden, clinical assistant nurse manager of emergency services. “I think it helps by giving a patient — especially those in vulnerable populations — pride in having a new pair of clothes and footwear. We help set them up for success, especially during the winter months.”

There are nearly 750 houseless individuals in Thurston County on any given night, according to January 2023 data reported by NPR affiliate KUOW. These individuals might need care and a fresh shirt after an emergency department visit.

The Helping Hands fund allows Capital Medical staff to go beyond medicine in caring for community members.

“When people see a sign with the letter ‘H,’ they know it stands for hospital, and it also is a safe place for them to come even if it’s just for a sandwich or dry, new clothes,” Golden says. “This helps prove to them that they are seen as a person, not just a body or number with a disease or condition. We are all people serving people of our community.”

You can support removing barriers to care for all patients with a gift to the Helping Hands fund today. Employees can give through our employee and volunteer giving program, MultiCare Gives.