Howard County General Hospital will begin moving into the new patient care pavilion in July 2009. Part of the hospital’s continuing effort to meet the health care needs of the community, the pavilion and related renovation project will provide expanded and improved space for patient care as well as support services. The addition is a four-story, five-level pavilion that houses three inpatient units as well as outpatient services and support departments.
Patient safety and improved quality of care are the driving forces behind the design of the new inpatient units. Top on the list of priorities is making all patient rooms private. In addition to 90 new private rooms, nearly all existing semi-private rooms will be converted to private through renovation, adding a total of 42 new inpatient beds. Studies prove that private rooms promote healing and patient safety by decreasing hospital-acquired infections, patient falls, and medication errors, thereby resulting in improved medical outcomes. In addition, private rooms reduce noise and allow for improved communication and privacy for patients, family members and staff.
To prevent patient falls, furniture and equipment is specially arranged and work alcoves are located between every two rooms, allowing nurses to complete records while monitoring patients. Family involvement in the patient’s care is encouraged and sleep sofas are provided should family members want to stay overnight.
The hospital cares for thousands of critically ill patients every year. Upon completion of the new patient tower, the entire third floor will be dedicated to providing a continuum of care for the sickest patients, with the current Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a new Progressive Care Unit and a new cardiac/telemetry unit. Intensivists, physicians who specialize in caring for critically ill hospitalized patients, will be able to conveniently and efficiently follow the care of these patients as they move to the appropriate level of care during their recovery.
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