Firelands RMC opens new tower

Patients

move in

on May 4

SANDUSKY -Firelands Regional Medical Center opened its new five-story patient care towerlast week.

The multi-year $147 million project was built to meet the healthcare needs of the community.

"The completion of this new tower allows Firelands to better meet the needs of our community by bringing the best technology to the area delivered by the most qualified medical and support staff," explained Charles A. Stark, President & CEO. "Community members will be able to stay in the Sandusky area and receive the highest quality and most advanced healthcare. Firelands is proud to be able to provide this level of service and care. We like to say that we are 'big enough to care for you, but small enough to care about you."

Convenience and accessibility of patients, friends and family were paramount when planning the layout of the East Tower. Features of the new patient tower include:

* An enclosed parking garage attached to the East Tower by an enclosed walkway and a convenient main lobby drop-off area, providing patients and visitors with many convenient parking options.

* Numerous amenities such as an expanded gift shop and new java café are located in the main lobby.

* 13 State-of-the-art Surgical Suites equipped for Neurological, Open Heart, Orthopedic, Vascular, and a broad range of General Surgery.

* Dedicated Digestive Health Center for gastrointestinal and related procedures.

* Private consultation rooms are available to allow physicians and family members to have private conversations.

* Waiting areas in each patient care area offer plentiful seating, flat panel televisions, and many offer child play areas.

* Hospitality rooms are located on the patient floors to allow family and visitors an opportunity for a quick snack without needing to go too far from the patient.

* Patient rooms are equipped with pass-through cabinets which allow access from both the hallway and the patient room. Linens, medication and supplies can be delivered to the patient without entering the room, making patient care floors quieter.

* Supply rooms built between patient rooms provide a sound barrier to allow patients a more quite and restful recovery.

* Computers are available in all patient rooms allowing the staff and physicians the ability to assess the patient chart in the patient's room.

* Patient care staff are equipped with wireless communication devices connected via a wireless network to the nurse call system alerting the nurse on his/her cell phone.

* Critical Care patient rooms are glassed in to provide staff a greater view of the patient as well as a door between two patient rooms allowing staff to move between rooms.

* Select Critical Care rooms allow for bedside dialysis.

"This construction project has involved the collaboration of so many people" said Douglas Talkington, Vice President of Operations.

Adding 182,000 square feet of space to the hospital, the new patient tower includes 80 patient beds bringing the bed total for Firelands Regional Medical Center to 440. Construction in other areas of the Medical Center will continue after the East Tower opens. Other areas under construction, include:

* Expanded Cafeteria (to be completed in late May)

* Expanded Emergency Room (to be completed in late August)

* Pain Relief Center (to be completed in late August)

* Retail Pharmacy (to be completed in late August)

Additionally, renovations to the current patient floors will begin as soon as patients are transferred to the new Medical Oncology, Critical Care and Progressive Care Units in the East Tower. Expected completion dates include the end of July for the Pediatrics Unit, the end of September for the General Medical Unit, and the end of November for the General Surgery Unit.

The Firelands East Tower will begin providing patient care in the new East Tower on Sunday, May 4.