By Julie Randle
Moving into a new house is never easy.
An even bigger challenge is transitioning from an old hospital to a new hospital. That's exactly what staff members at St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood have been preparing for this month by practicing live scenarios with staff and volunteer "patients."
On March 30, St. Joseph will close and move to its new facility at Highway 141 and Bowles Avenue. It will take the name St. Clare Health Center.
Simulations have been performed in the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit and the floors at the new hospital. The practice runs are done to ensure that everything will run smoothly once the building opens for patients.
One simulation involved a patient who was diagnosed with pneumonia, developed a serious complication and the rapid response team was called. A respiratory therapist, nursing supervisor and intensive care unit doctor, along with other rapid response team members arrived to assist. Blood was drawn, X-rays were done and the patient underwent a process to clear the airway.
In the mock scenario, it turned out the patient had suffered respiratory failure and was stabilized after the airway was cleared.
Another scenario involved a patient who arrived at the emergency room complaining of chest pain. The necessary protocols were performed - X-rays, CT scan, EKG, blood was drawn and medication was dispensed. The EKG showed the patient was having a heart attack. He was taken to the cardiac cath lab for treatment and then admitted to the intensive care unit.
"The purpose of the simulations is so the staff feels comfortable before we have patients in the (new) building," said Sherry Hausmann, president and chief executive officer of the hospital. "It's like a dress rehearsal, so that by the time patients are here, we're perfect."
Having run through the simulations, hospital officials are now putting the new 154-bed hospital on display.
Hospital officials are throwing open the doors for a community open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21 and noon to 5 p.m. March 22.
The 600,000-square-foot health center campus, which sits on 54 acres, incorporates its natural surroundings into the design. Windows in the patient/family suites run from floor to ceiling and allow patients to look out at trees.
Patients can walk in the health center's gardens and courtyards.
Nature provides a healing environment and evidence shows it reduces complications and mortality, while speeding up the healing process, Hausmann said.
Other elements in the design reflect drastic changes in the way care will be carried out at the new hospital. Gone are the centralized nursing desks in favor of numerous nursing pods on each floor. Paper charts have been replaced by computers and electronic health records.
"Essentially we've been given the opportunity to reinvent the health care experience from the ground up," Hausmann said.
Physicians, nurses, patients and their families all had a voice in the plans for the hospital.
"Every element of St. Clare has been designed for safety, comfort, convenience and efficiency," Hausmann said. "We designed it to nurture the patient, but in doing so it's (become) an effective and efficient work environment for our staff."
Each suite is equipped with a secure system to store each patient's medication, which helps reduce medication errors. All rooms are private, which helps decrease infection. For every four suites, there is a nursing pod in the hallway, where supplies are stored. These measures prevent trips down long hallways to retrieve medications and supplies.
"I've been a nurse for 32 years and done a lot of walking in those years," said Kathy Venverloh, team leader for the Medical/Surgical Division.
Walking means less time with the patients. It also allows for distractions from doctors, nurses and family members. The new design allows more time by the bed, she said.
Venverloh believes the design will enhance a patient's experience. Suites are equipped with seating for many people, a table, refrigerator, safe, flat screen television and DVD player, a recliner and pull out twin bed. Family can visit anytime.
Venverloh and her colleagues have been busy this month familiarizing themselves with their new environment and training for situations that will soon be a reality.
"The simulations put you as close to a real life situation as you can get and then you recognize concerns you might have, things you can do better and things we did well," she said.
Want to see St. Clare Health Center?
What: Community open house
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21, noon to 5 p.m. March 22.
Where: 1015 Bowles Ave.
Cost: Free
More information: Visit http://www.ssmstclare.com/ |
