Monday, December 28, 2009

A Banner Year for Sinai Hospital

As 2009 winds down, LifeBridge Health is taking a look at some of the major events of the past year. Today, we remember the expansion efforts at Sinai Hospital.

By Betsy Haley

Sinai Hospital continued to grow and expand patient care services throughout 2009.

In July, Sinai officially opened a 87,000-square foot, four-story addition that included an atrium, new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and new Intermediate Care Unit (IMC). This expansion featured a green roof and other environmentally-friendly measures.

“In an effort to support our community and reduce our environmental footprint, Sinai Hospital strives to be a corporate leader in green development,” said Neil Meltzer, president and COO of Sinai Hospital. “This building expansion is a wonderful example of how hospitals can achieve a high level of patient care and incorporate environmental responsibility.”

The expansion features two new patient care areas, a 29-bed ICU located on the fourth floor, and a 36-bed IMC unit, located on the sixth floor. Both new units incorporate enhanced ergonomics for the patient care staff. Improvements include patient beds designed to reduce the need for lifting, raised outlets to decrease the need for bending and stretching, special flooring to support long periods of standing, and a pod-like setting with all medical supplies in close proximity. Also, each of the private patient rooms has sleeping space for families and computers at every bedside.

The new building also boasts the area’s first hospital roof garden. A helipad is also located on the rooftop which allows for transport of patients to the emergency department, operating rooms and the cardiac catheterization labs.

In December, The Herman & Walter Samuelson's Children's Hospital broke ground on the new wing. In addition to the new wing, the Children's Hospital will have associated upgrades and changes that will enhance the quality and efficiency of care, including all private rooms and family sleeping areas. These additions support the very heart of a family centered care program where the family is recognized as the constant in a child’s life. For this reason, family centered care is built on partnerships between families and health professionals during and after a child is treated for a diagnosed illness. Most importantly, family centered care improves and enhances clinical outcomes for children with special needs and provides more support for their families as they deal with the challenges and joys of raising a chronically ill child.

The construction will take place from now until mid-2012. To read more, click here.

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