Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994 TAG: 9403040086
SECTION: ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITALS PAGE: RMH-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The new South Pavilion has taken 10 years and more than $50 million to emerge from concept to reality, and today it stands as a testament to Carilion Health System's commitment to a patient-centered philosophy and superior health care.
The medical industry, which has undergone rapid changes in technology, has also experienced a shift in methods of delivering reliable care.
Houston Bell, president and chief executive officer, contends that "what has worked in the past is not well-suited to the future. The whole hospital industry has experienced changes in its mission and the way care is delivered."
Hospitals used to be concerned solely with patients in the hospital. Today, Bell continued, "in addition to acute, highly sophisticated inpatient care, hospitals are working to improve health in the community through wellness and prevention programs, post-operative home care and outpatient services."
Studies on patient care reveal that getting well is closely connected to aesthetics of surroundings, like space, light and color; access to nature scenes; and awareness of time and day and night.
While the new South Pavilion was planned to minimize impact on its surrounding environs, it was designed to maximize the comfort and healing process of those who enter its portals. The glass exterior reflects the colors of its setting, making the structure appear smaller than its 336,000 square feet. The glass interior provides patients and visitors with bright daylight and natural views that are soothing and reassuring.
The whole edifice promotes Roanoke Memorial from some spaces that are cramped, dull and staid to spacious, spectacular and stunning. The high profile curtain wall of glass projects a sense of fortitude, like a tower of strength.
"We're doing more things for people in a shorter period of time," stated Bell. "The new pavilion is a replacement facility," he explained, "needed because the old building no longer had sufficient infrastructure, like mechanical systems and control features, which are critical for patient care."
From the size of the rooms and the mechanical systems to the intensive care units, emergency department and surgery area, the old facilities were quickly becoming inadequate to meet the requirements of new equipment and today's patient expectations.
Additionally, cardiac care, emergency services and many surgical procedures have increased in demand and become much more complex. One of the fastest growing needs throughout the health care industry is strengthening critical and intensive care capabilities.
Dr. Paul Frantz, director of cardiac surgery, said the new South Pavilion has the capability to "respond much better to the needs of the people in the region."
Patients have the greatest chance of recovery when they receive fast medical attention, are not moved unnecessarily and have access to daylight and natural scenes.
Hospitals function best when they offer the right mix of services, accommodate the needs of the hospital's community, and maintain flexibility to grow and change.
With all this in mind, Roanoke Memorial's representatives, along with architects from JMGR, Inc. Of Memphis, Tennessee; civil engineers with Mattern & Craig of Roanoke; mechanical and electrical engineers from Newcomb & Boyd of Atlanta; structural engineers from Gardner & Howe of Memphis; and facility planners designed the new South Pavilion, which incorporates contemporary architecture with functionality and places patients needs at the top.
Faster access to medical care has been achieved with the new helicopter touchpad on the ninth-floor roof and two ambulance entrances at the new second-floor emergency department. Bringing technology to the patient is one of the state-of-the-art concepts being implemented in the new pavilion, thereby reducing the patient's movement, either from bed to bed or floor to floor.
Natural light streams into the post operative recovery room, the intensive care areas and progressive care units. Images of life, from the Roanoke River to the mountains on the horizon, benefit the patient's mental and emotional state, which in turn contributes to physical well-being and faster healing.
All the new medical services have been carefully developed in scope and location to optimize the use of equipment and efficiency of the staff. Waiting areas, offices, nurse stations and private consultation rooms have been located for maximum comfort and accessibility.
Flexibility for the future is evident in the fact that six more stories can be added; cables and network wiring have been installed for future technology; and empty shell space exists in the new ninth-floor pavilion.
Vision is the cornerstone of any worthwhile endeavor. Roanoke Memorial Hospitals, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1999, has embarked on an innovative course that integrates facilitates and care giving that will serve all of its constituents well into the 21st century of health care.
by CNB