For some intensive-care patients at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, a trip outside means traveling in their hospital bed. Accompanied by staff and the equipment they need, they can spend time at the nearby Mediterranean seafront.
The outings are planned for patients whose condition allows a supervised journey. They remain part of hospital care, not a substitute for treatment or a sign that someone is ready to go home.
The hospital describes the visits as part of its work to make intensive care more personal and welcoming. Alongside other projects involving families, music and rehabilitation, they give patients a change from the ward's surroundings. A view of the sea and a few moments outdoors can become part of a hospital stay without being presented as a proven cure.