Northwest Community Hospital unveils $250 million addition
When Northwest Community Hospital opened its new South Pavilion to the public Sunday, it drew a turnout almost worthy of a playoff game at the United Center.
An estimated 3,000 people showed up not only for the preview of the new nine-story, 200-bed facility - which actually opens on May 1 - but also for festivities in a nearby tent that included face-painting and Radio Disney for children, staff members handing out goody bags, and display tables with brochures explaining hospital services.
Guests were greeted by a $250 million space that the hospital is portraying as more family friendly and holistic in its approach.
"We're trying to create a total healing environment," said hospital spokesman Blaine Krage. "Everything that goes into making people better faster."
Gary Skiba, hospital vice president of regional services, said the goal is to bring family focused care to the patient. He said that includes more private rooms, giving family members the ability to stay with patients when needed and more privacy for patients.
Visitors were given tours of three floors, although they were offered presentations of all services provided. Presentations included demonstrations of a robotic surgical instrument used in gynecological procedures, as well as abdominal and prostate surgeries. Guests also could take turns using the machine.
One feature that made a huge impression on visitors was The Woman's Center. The center will take up two floors, with spacious, private labor-and-delivery and postpartum rooms. It will be staffed by obstetric specialists and perinatologists around the clock. It offers a new special care nursery, staffed by neonatologists who are also on staff at Children's Memorial Hospital.
The pavilion features more spacious rooms for labor, delivery and recovery that keep both mom and dad in mind, said Cindy Hartwig, director of women's and children's services.
Rooms are furnished with iPod players, so parents can play whatever tunes they want to accompany the delivery. There is even a bed for dad.
Screens on the walls also enable staff to monitor women in labor, no matter where they are in the hospital.
Hartwig added that the fifth floor mother-baby unit has 100 percent private rooms; the old facility had only 60 percent.
Laura Cagwin from Arlington Heights appreciated the size of the rooms and their amenities.
"They have got iPods, they have got it all," Cagwin said. "I had my son here 15 years ago. It almost makes me want to have another baby."
Expectant parents Jessica and Joshua Robach of Mount Prospect said they hope the big event occurs in time for the new pavilion opening.
"We have toured the old facility, and this is just head and shoulders above (it)," said Jessica, who is expecting their first child, a little girl. "The open configuration of the rooms, the ability to play music while you're delivering. The monitoring systems are more advanced in these rooms. You can walk around with the monitors. You're not tethered. Walking during labor is a lot more comfortable."
On another floor was a demonstration of the Critical Care Unit. One of the unit's specialties will be treating patients who have suffered strokes.
Bonnie Engeriser, a registered nurse and clinical coordinator, said the unit is a primary comprehensive stroke center, where neurointerventional physicians can perform procedures like clot retrieval and coiling of aneurysms.
"Patients who come to Northwest Community have the opportunity for intervention while they are having a stroke," she said.
The unit will also offer a special surgical procedure for pancreatic cancer.
Kathy Lamont, director of gastrointestinal services, said the critical care unit's private rooms and family centered environment are focusing on more comprehensive care.
"The old unit used to have one large nursing station. And now this unit has four nursing stations spread out. And every room is very large and has all the equipment, medication and supplies that would be needed to care for the patient. They have the pullout beds, so they encourage one family member to stay with the patient and spend the night even, which I think is rare for an intensive care.
"(Patients) need a lot of attention and rest" she added. "But if you can help them heal by reducing their anxiety by having one simply by having one family member be with them, that's a great idea."
Palatine resident Roberta Johanson, a retired nurse who worked at Northwest Community Hospital, was impressed with the tour.
"It's a great improvement from when I worked here," she said.
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