TCH Newsroom
Contact: Rodney Foushee
Public Relations & Marketing Manager
(828) 883-5435
Transylvania Hospital’s New Inpatient Wing Wows Patients, Families
BREVARD, N.C., May 13, 2008—Transylvania Community Hospital opened its new inpatient wing Monday—receiving rave reviews from patients and their families.
“’Wow’ is the best way I can describe the size and condition of the new rooms,” said Frank Murray, a retired physician’s assistant who was moved into one of the wing’s new medical/surgical rooms. “I am really proud of what this hospital has been able to do for the care of this community.”
“These rooms are awesome,” said Misty Brittain, whose two-year-old daughter Sydney was transferred to a new ICU room on Monday for observation. “This is a beautiful view,” she said, peering out a wall-sized window. “The rooms are definitely much larger than in the old hospital [wing], and they even have the cartoons on TV the kids like.”
The 25,000 square-foot wing features 30 state-of-the-art inpatient rooms, designed with patients, their loved ones and care providers in mind. The new rooms—nearly three times larger than the old rooms at TCH—are the largest in Western North Carolina, with special areas for visitors to dine and sleep. At the same time, high-tech monitoring equipment is standard throughout the new wing, allowing for up-to-the-second monitoring of patients’ vital signs and other medical indicators.
The rooms also feature modern air control systems to isolate and prevent the spread of disease. A Wi-Fi network provides wireless Internet access to patients and visitors on the new wing and a pneumatic tube system allows hospital staff to send and receive lab specimens and medical information from the wing to the emergency department, pharmacy and laboratory.
“I really wanted to see this new wing last week as a visitor during the open house, but I didn’t feel quite up to it,” said Gwen Blankinship, 91, who was the first patient to be admitted to the new wing. “Now I am seeing it from a hospital bed.”
Mrs. Blankinship moved to Brevard in 1957 when her husband was transferred to North Carolina to head the human resources department at the new DuPont plant in Cedar Mountain. “I’ve been here ever since,” she said. “I used to volunteer for many years and helped with the coffee cart at the old hospital (now the Brian Center on Country Club Road).”
“Everyone on the staff has been attentive,” said Paul Blankinship, Gwen’s son. “My dad was here last year in the old wing and it was cramped for space. This new wing is so spacious. It leaves a good first impression.”
The transfer of patients on Monday and Tuesday to the new wing went smoothly, thanks to the teamwork of the entire hospital staff, said Karen Sanders, director of acute care services. “Everyone pitched in to make this a smooth transition,” she said. “Some of our nurses are still finding their way around the wing, but we are definitely home.”
The inpatient wing is the centerpiece of the hospital’s $14 million “More Than You Imagined” expansion—one of the largest in its history. The hospital completed a renovation of its cafeteria and food preparation areas last summer. And the front lobby and parking lot are getting a facelift this summer. So far, the TCH Foundation has raised more than $7 million toward the $14 million goal.
During this final phase of construction, the main entrance to the hospital has been temporarily closed. Patients and visitors are being directed to enter the hospital through the Patient Registration entrance near the Emergency Department. The entire building project is slated for completion in October.
About Transylvania Community Hospital
Celebrating its 75th year, Transylvania Community Hospital is a nationally ranked 5-Star Hospital and a leading provider of quality healthcare services in Transylvania and surrounding counties. Based in Brevard, N.C., it is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1933 and is the largest employer in Transylvania County.