Outdated Chapels in Hospitals Converted into Meditation Rooms

''Muslim prayer rugs and Jewish prayer shawls will be available," said Lisa Nordlander, director of spiritual care services at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. She said the current room is outdated. "The new room will be more inclusive. We'll also have banners from different faith traditions."

Hospital officials say they are opening and expanding meditation rooms in response to a demand by visitors and staff, as well as growing awareness of the role spirituality plays in healing.

''More than ever we are looking at treating the entire person," said Samuel Brown-Dawson, coordinator of clinical pastoral services at UC Davis Medical Center. "People of all faiths -- and people of non-faith -- need a place where they can sit down and reflect, many as they are trying to make a decision," he said.