Patient Care Key to Women’s Pavilion Success

  • By Lisa Amstutz
  • April 30, 2011
  • 292
                        
Teaser: A Season of New Birth Spring is the season of new birth—of flowering trees and nesting birds; of kittens and bunnies and lambs. Interestingly, humans have historically shown seasonal birth patterns as well. These vary by country, but in the United States they peak in the fall with a smaller peak in late winter. Women’s Pavilion Manager Diane Field said she doesn’t see any strong seasonal patterns in births at Wooster Community Hospital, though there is a correlation with snowstorms and electrical outages. The hospital’s approximately 1000 annual births make it a busy place year-round. A thousand births is an impressive number for a town the size of Wooster. WCH draws patients not only from Wooster, but also from surrounding areas and as far away as Mansfield and southern Ohio, Field said. Many are drawn by the hospital’s family-centered approach and commitment to letting the patient take the lead in the birthing process. To better accommodate their patients, the hospital built its spacious new OB unit, known as the Women’s Pavilion, in 2006. Twenty-one private rooms are situated around a central nurse’s station, and there is space for 23 babies in the nursery. Comfortable facilities and an accommodating staff help make WCH an ideal place to give birth—no matter what the season. Main article: Patient Care Key to Women’s Pavilion Success Wooster Community Hospital (WCH) has good reason to be proud of its high-tech Women’s Pavilion OB unit, but the sparkling facilities are only part of the story. “People drive here from Mansfield and Ashland to have their babies. There must be a reason,” says Dave Rhoad, marketing director and public relations manager at WCH. For Women’s Pavilion Manager Diane Field, the reason is clear: it all comes down to patient satisfaction, which consistently ranks in the 90th percentile. Exceptional facilities combine with a family-centered approach and a commitment to following the patient’s lead in the birthing process to provide an optimal hospital experience. “This facility is outstanding, but patient care is key,” she said. “Our staff is easygoing—they’ll follow the mom’s lead as much as possible. Most women come in with a birth plan, and we try to follow their plan as much as possible.” There are twelve obstetricians and twelve pediatricians on the medical staff at WCH, along with many specialized nursing staff. There are two certified lactation consultants on staff, along with 8-9 trained counselors. “We encourage breastfeeding and assist the moms as much as we can,” said Field. The Women’s Pavilion’s family-centered approach means that families are welcomed. Rooming in by the father or support person is encouraged, with sleeper sofas provided for their comfort. A celebration meal for two is included in the hospital stay. A spacious waiting room with Wi-Fi Internet provides a comfortable space for additional visitors to hang out during labor. Suzanne Jung, Web and Education Specialist at WCH, recently gave birth at the Women’s Pavilion. “Except for having a baby and emergency C-section, it was almost like a hotel getaway,” she said. “My husband and I could order whatever we wanted off the menu—for just $5, he got a big tray of food.” Jung enjoyed the spacious, private room and bathroom and comfortable bed. “I just felt very comfortable and at home there.” The attractive, high-tech facilities at the Women’s Pavilion certainly play a role in helping patients have a good experience. “We moved into the new area in 2006, and we’re pretty proud of it,” said Field. The unit boasts 21 patient beds, 11 of which are LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) rooms. These birthing suites make it possible for a patient to remain in the same room for the duration of their hospital stay. Two operating rooms allow for a quick transition if a C-section is needed. Each suite is pleasant and spacious, with subdued lighting, windows, wood-look flooring and a private bathroom. “It’s a beautiful unit--well-lit, with inviting colors and ambiance,” said Dr. Amelia Laing. A rocker and sofa provide comfortable seating for family members and support partners, and a flat-screen monitor plays educational videos and satellite music. Wi-Fi Internet and video games are also available. Two of the rooms have Jacuzzi tubs that laboring patients can use for relaxation and pain management during labor. “It really reduces the pain for a lot of people,” Field said. Two bariatric rooms are specially equipped for patients with special needs. Though the birthing suites look like pleasant hotel rooms, they hide a good deal of high-tech equipment. Each room has a computer so staff can do bedside charting. A nurse’s cart is tucked into a cupboard, while medical gases and suction tubes reside behind a painting above the bed that easily slides out of the way when needed. There is room for 23 babies in the nursery, where nurses can care for infants while their mothers snatch a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Security in the whole unit is very tight and the high-tech system ensures that babies cannot be taken out of the area. Although the nursery is equipped with isolettes for babies who need extra care, premature babies are usually transferred quickly to a more specialized facility. “We have a really good relationship with Children’s Hospital in Akron—when we have a premature baby, we can stabilize and transport it quickly to Akron. It’s up to the pediatrician’s discretion whether to keep the baby or not, but they are usually sent to tertiary care,” said Field. Wooster Community Hospital offers a variety of educational programs and support groups. A grief counselor is available to meet with those who have suffered pregnancy loss, and the Healing Hearts Support Group provides ongoing support. The group meets the fourth Monday of every month at the Wayne County Public Library. A childbirth educator provides parent and sibling classes to prepare families for their impending births. Both weekday and weekend classes are offered. Additional educational opportunities for new parents are available at HealthPoint, including free classes on infant massage and communicating with your infant. To learn more about the Women’s Pavilion, take a virtual tour of the unit at http://www.woosterhospital.org/Pages/VirtualTours/WomensPavilion/WomensPavilion.html or call 330-263-8100.


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