pressReleaseHeading

For Immediate Release: August 6, 2006

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospice and Transitional Care Unit move to new home itle

SPRINGFIELD – Hospice and the Transitional Care Unit at St. John’s Hospital are moving from the North Building to the newly renovated 11th floor of the main tower this month. The move is designed to enhance the quality of care provided to patients by increasing the number of private rooms and amenities available to patients and their families.

The renovation creates three nurses’ stations and 31 spacious patient rooms that combine the latest medical technology with home-like décor. In addition, the floor includes family lounges and kitchenettes, a beauty shop and a 1,600 square foot rehabilitation center for TCU patients.

“The overall feeling of the space really does fit with our mission and values. We are respecting our patients as individuals with the increase in private rooms,” said Roxanne Harling, RN, supervisor, St. John’s Hospice. “We have selected warm tones and fabrics that pull in the color of the earth and sky beautifully. Certainly a lot of care and joy has gone into the planning as well.”

The new Hospice unit has 13 private rooms, while TCU has 12 private rooms, and six semi-private rooms for a total of 24 beds. The Hospice family lounge will feature a computer workstation for families to access the Internet. The computer station was donated by a family of a former patient who saw the need to email loved ones from the hospital. Toast of the Town fundraisers held by Friends of St. John’s Hospital helped support the purchase of new furniture for Hospice, including sleeper beds in the rooms.

“It is great to be able to create a new place for our patients, families and employees. The rooms are bigger which makes it easier for patients to get around and also allows for more visitors,” said Cindee Fassero, RN, supervisor, TCU. “TCU patients also benefit by being closer to Radiology and other service areas in the main hospital.”

The 11th Floor has been vacant since the Birth Center moved to the Carol Jo Vecchie Women and Children’s Center. The renovation is the first phase of a multi-year plan to renovate and upgrade all patient rooms at St. John’s.