In the large burns unit of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland, hypnosis is used on a daily basis. According to Dr. Pierre-Yves Rodondi at the University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine and a scientific study carried out at the hospital (published in the journal Burns), it is concluded that hypnosis:
- reduces the time patients spend in intensive care by 5 days
- cuts the cost of therapy and saves $26,000 a patient
- should be in all of the other hospital departments at CHUV
- should be in all hospitals
- is effective in pain management
- helps patients with severe burns to recover faster
- reduces anxiety
- reduces the use of drugs
- reduces the overall need for anaesthetics
Lausanne University Hospital has 2 nurses in the intensive care unit who are full time hypnotherapists. One of the nurses, Maryse Davadant says “We offer it to everyone, some are aware of it and are interested, whereas others are more skeptical, but almost everyone tries it and is satisfied.” Patients are also taught self-hypnosis for pain control.