
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994                   TAG: 9403040133
SECTION: ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITALS                    PAGE: RMH-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DESIGN FOCUSES ON PATIENT CARE

At Roanoke Memorial Hospitals patient care is at the center of all its programs and service, and Roanoke Memorial's South Pavilion is a stellar example of putting this philosophy into practice. Focus on the patient has guided the entire planning process, so that the facility would be constructed to enhance patient comfort and to facilitate the healing process.

Patients in the new building are surrounded by color, texture, natural light, outdoor scenes and original art works. When the nurses are confronted with the fact that all the glass is nice for them, too, the common response was verbalized by Nancy Altice, a registered nurse with more than 15 years experience. "The patients really need the windows," she explained. "It's different for the nurses. We get to go home at the end of a shift, or take a break and go outside."

It is precisely this attitude - thinking of the patient first that the South Pavilion strives to embrace.

Another instance where this philosophy is carried out can be found in the extra privacy features, like separate elevators for the staff and patients from the general public, curtains around all beds in the emergency department and pre-op area.

Nurse manager Cathy Fisher, R.N., stated that one of the biggest needs for serving the patient was increasing the number of monitored beds, beds where patients can be connected to monitors that relay multiple vital signs about their conditions. "And," she continued, "there is more space, more efficiency, more computers, more phones. We're leaving behind the beehive effect - so many people buzzing around a small space."

Classroom and private consultation space gives the patients and patients-to-be access to more education and privacy in conversations with staff.

New equipment and procedures that do things faster, better and brighter have been purchased and installed or implemented to enhance care to the patient, speeding up the healing process.

Family support services will be much more easily accessed with the increased space. Social workers and patient representatives are available on each intensive care unit floor. New and larger waiting rooms have one huge glass wall, warm colors, comfortable furniture. A volunteer receptionist on each floor can answer questions and help families locate patients, doctors and nurses.

Each floor has its own waiting area, so families are visiting patients with common interests. "Families are great support for each other," according to Peggy Crosson, director of patient representatives and volunteer services. It's "like a natural phenomena that families waiting together in the same area start talking, comparing notes and supporting one another."

The health information management office on the first floor maintains patient records. Basically, this office staff provides a service for the patient, as well as the hospital staff, by keeping all medical records. The most recent five years for any patient are on hard-copy, and easily accessible through the office.

Additionally, manager Kathy Byrd explained, "statistics, such as number of admissions, discharges, patients days and so on, are compiled." These figures help the budget department and hospital management in their strategic planning process.

With beautiful surroundings, expert care, state-of-the-art technology and an institution with a firm commitment to the patient policy process, getting well has never been so easy.

by CNB