Enhancing healing spaces for our patients
Thanks to those who have donated to the St. Thomas More Foundation, the hospital has recently unveiled updates in three different places, all designed to improve patient care and safety, workflow, and comfortability for patients and families.
The intensive care unit, emergency department, and chapel have all been given various improvements, which were completed on Nov. 1. According to Rick Kamerzell, administrative director of St. Thomas More Hospital, all of the renovations were done with the staff and patients in mind, and the staff who work in the building played a big role in deciding which renovations needed to happen.
In the emergency department, renovations allowed for expanding the triage capacity, and adding another exam room. Additionally, the carpet at the nurses’ station was ripped out to make things more sanitary and easier to clean. The biggest change in the ED is the addition of exterior cameras and exterior doors that remain locked 24/7.
Kamerzell said it was not uncommon to have patients come to the wrong door when looking for emergency services, leading to people coming into the ED before checking in at the front. The cameras allow ED nurses and doctors to have a clear picture of who is outside, and if someone is suffering a life-threatening emergency, they can let them in. All EMS and Fire services have badges that unlock the door upon their arrival with patients.
The emergency department also has an expanded breakroom, which allows providers to have a break after working in a high-stress environment, and a new check-in area designed for comfort and care of patients.
The ICU, which for the last three years has been on the second floor of the hospital, was moved back down to its original location next to the ED. This added four additional beds and allowed the ICU team and the ED team to work together.
Shannon Haas, director of surgical services, said having the ED and ICU next to each other has really improved patient care.
“Our teamwork and relationships have all improved,” Haas said.
Kamerzell adds, “It improves the synergy being next to the ED and allows the teams to work together.”
Each room in the ICU also has updated electronics, and the imaging department received funds for a new C-arm to provide seamless and efficient high-quality imaging procedures.
There is also now a family waiting area, which has been updated and put back into use after the ICU move.
“It now provides a quiet space for families and providers to have difficult conversations,” Haas said.
The chapel in the hospital (pictured left), which hadn’t been updated since it was built in 1968, also got a facelift.
Deacon Marco Vegas, director of Mission Integration, even got to select the colors he felt were best to create a warm, inviting space. The space was repainted and given new flooring, new candle fixtures, a new altar cloth, and updated stations of the cross.
“We hope this will be an inviting space for families, staff and patients to sit in prayer, or with whatever their thoughts are,” Vegas said.
In total, the renovations cost the foundation nearly $200k, all of which were donated by community members and associates.
To learn more about the STM Foundation and its community impact, email Linda Russell, philanthropy officer, at Linda.Russell900@CommonSpirit.org.
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