You sound like you’re an extremely caring person who is devoted to the patients your facility serves. That said, you must keep in mind the protection of patients rights. I know that you are trying to provide beneficence to the patient but this type of behavior can reflect paternalism to many patients and not provide the autonomy they so richly deserve. As the wife of a pastor/therapist and a counselor/nurse/ethicist myself I am very much concerned about the holistic care of the patient as well. Clergy can and often do add much to the emotional and spiritual well-being of a hospitalized patient and their family. Still, we cannot overstep our legal and ethical boundaries and assume that we know what is best for the patient.
There is protection for the patient in regard to their status, unless they have a do not identify we can assume that they can be identified if they are specifically requested but we are not able to state directly to a clergy that they should look in upon them. It’s very sad that we need to follow this rule but it is easily remedied by simply ASKING the patient if they wouldn’t mind a visit or if they prefer a visit. Ask before you leap. In this case a signed permission statement is not relevant but asking is a positive sign of regard for the patient’s rights.
Terry Wolstencroft