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

DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994                   TAG: 9403040198
SECTION: ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITALS                    PAGE: RMH-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITALS: THE NEXT GENERATION

Hospitals are "pillars of American towns - the places where most people are born and where many die. We fear and avoid them, yet welcome the security of their presence," Keith Hammonds wrote in a recent BusinessWeek article.

The story goes on to illustrate the changing role of hospital's with charts that show the decline in patient length of stay from five days in 1985 to less than four days in 1993, and the decline in the number of community hospitals.

"We maintain a positive outlook," stated Roanoke Memorial's president and chief executive officer Houston Bell. "The decline in hospital utilization as a positive consequence of many factors including our becoming more effective providers of inpatient care and the increasing role of outpatient services."

Bell further added that hospitals are one of the few businesses "in business to put ourselves out of business." He is not intimidated by a changing mission.

Hospitals are performing more comprehensive services in the education of disease prevention, early detection, wellness programs and healthier lifestyles.

The new South Pavilion project "updated old facilities, as well as addressed new trends in patient care," stated Steve Purves, senior vice president and chief operating officer.

The pavilion was designed and is constructed to support four more floors if that ever becomes necessary. All the new elevators service the existing 15 stories of the West Pavilion. Plumbing and electrical systems are capped at the top floor and easily accessible for extending up more floors. Even the helicopter touchpad was designed for relocation to a loftier rooftop.

Extra electronic and cable wiring is in place to accommodate new computer systems and interfaces, as well as teleradiology capabilities. Teleradiology will permit x-rays to be stored as computer images and retrieved by computer cable, eliminating the need to locate, handle, return and file the physical x-ray. The new lights in the surgical suites are wired for miniature camera installations that will perform close-up filming of an operation for educational and research purposes.

Eight isolation rooms have been located on the ICU floors because "occurrences of infectious diseases and new strains of tuberculosis are on the rise," stated Mike Ballantyne, vice president of surgical services. The hazmat (hazardous materials) decontamination room in the emergency department can effectively handle chemical accidents without risking staff contact.

The building's modern glass and granite was specifically chosen to generate confidence and maximize natural interior light. Plum, dull gold, medium blue and sage green were selected for upholstery and wall highlights because they represent a full spectrum of color. Furnishings are timeless and classic, with straight lines and a contemporary flair.

As the most exciting century of medical advancement comes to a close, Roanoke Memorial Hospitals is well-positioned to embrace the future and provide state-of-the-art technology and services to southwest Virginia.

by CNB