DANVILLE - A new, 30-bed inpatient unit providing private rooms and state-of-the-art technology to orthopaedic and trauma patients on the sixth floor of Geisinger Medical Center's Hospital for Advanced Medicine (HfAM) was formally opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
The 22,350-sq.ft., $9.4 million project - $2.4 million of which was funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania "Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program" - increases the HfAM bed capacity from 60 to 90 beds. It includes two bariatric compatible rooms equipped with ceiling-mounted bariatric lifts to help staff more safely transport patients.
Construction began in February 2012 on the project, which fills previous shelled space on the sixth floor of HfAM.
"There are many reasons to be excited about this new inpatient unit," said Dr. Michael Suk, chairman, orthopedic surgery. "It substantially improves upon our ability to treat and monitor orthopaedic and trauma patients."
Each room contains comfortable accommodations for family members and a full glass window so nurses have direct patient monitoring capabilities from outside the patient room.
Communication is improved with an information center for family members, a consultation room where the health care team can meet with family and friends, and a larger meeting space for team discussions.
A nutrition center is stocked with snacks and juices so family members won't have to leave the unit. Patients will benefit from a centralized dietary system where they can order from a menu and have food delivered when convenient.
Patients also have access to a rehabilitation gym with the physical therapists on the floor.
"This greatly improves the quality of care provided for those served by giving Geisinger the ability to provide timely and responsive care, and address an urgent need of the community," said Angelo Venditti, RN, associate vice president, nursing services.