BIBLES FOR PATIENTS

I am a bivocational minister. My second job is as a nurse.

In “Canadian hospital removes Bibles to stop germs” (The Alabama Baptist, May 5), the question was asked, “Is it possible for these germs to reside and live on lampshades, curtains?”

Once a patient who has been in isolation has been discharged from our CCU, the room is given a special isolation cleaning, which includes replacing the curtains. Although we want to provide Bibles for our patients, hospital acquired infections are on the rise. We must provide as germ-free an environment as possible.

Perhaps an inexpensive paperback New Testament that can be sent home with the patient is the answer. I would like to see the Gideons provide such a New Testament. However, I am afraid that due to the number of patients that come through the hospital, the New Testaments would have to be distributed upon a patient’s request, and we would need to give more support to the Gideons to meet the demand. I am willing to give more to the Gideons for such a project.

Steve Godwin

Jacksonville, Ala.