READI 1.0: Schneck Medical Center renovates inpatient unit with Indiana READI grant

Courtesy of The Tribune

Schneck Medical Center recently announced the completion of the renovation of its 3 North Inpatient Unit, made possible in part through an Indiana READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) grant of $1.04 million.

This project represents Schneck’s dedication to advancing regional healthcare and community development, according to a news release from the Seymour hospital.

READI grants aim to support initiatives that promote quality of life, innovation, and economic growth across Indiana.

The newly renovated unit features state-of-the-art facilities and thoughtful design elements.

Amy Pettit, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, led an open house of the unit on Monday this week. The unit opened its doors to patients the following day.

Among the renovations are an enhanced waiting room with a sound-dampening wall, ensuring a calm and comfortable environment for patients and their families.

The unit also has received two upgraded nurses’ stations, strategically placed to optimize workflow. One station is equipped with a tube system that increases efficiency, not only for nurses, but also for the pharmacy and lab, facilitating seamless patient care.

“The tube system can be used to send labs to lab, pharmacy can tube medications that maybe are more urgent in nature, and even blood can be tubed in the system today,” Pettit said. “That’s something that the med-surg floor has not had in the past and it’s a great invention.”

A spacious, centrally located supply room has been added to the unit to improve organization and streamline workflows for staff.

“Everything is located in one space to improve efficiency,” Pettit said.

The supply room is accessible from either side of the hallway it is situated in.

All Omnicells (automated systems for medication management) are camera-monitored for safety, Pettit said.

A newly designed ADA-compliant room features two ceiling lifts, each capable of accommodating up to 1,100 pounds, ensuring safety and accessibility for all patients.

The unit also is equipped with the advanced New Baby security system, prioritizing the safety of pediatric patients and offering peace of mind to families.

“The New Baby system is the same system we use up in the OB unit, so for newborns, but this system will be used also for pediatrics that are hospitalized and in our care, just working to keep them as safe as possible,” Pettit said.

Pediatric patients have access to an activity room, providing a dedicated space for engaging activities outside their rooms, supporting their mental and emotional well-being during their stay.

Patient rooms in the newly renovated unit feature advanced medical technology, including medical air, patient monitoring systems, cameras and dialysis hookups. These amenities allow patients to remain in their rooms while receiving dialysis, enhancing comfort and care.

Enhanced ceiling heights throughout the unit create a spacious and welcoming environment as well.

“Even though we were locked into the space, and we had an outside footprint, what could we do to make [the unit] feel more open?” Pettit said. “We did that by the tile on the columns, increasing the height of the ceiling a little bit [and adjusting] the lighting. Anything to do to try to make it look larger.”

A new lighting system allows patients to control the brightness of their room.

“We’re very patient focused, so [we’re] trying to look at the room from the patient point of view and say, ‘What if I were a patient? What would I want to have? I already don’t feel good. I’m in the hospital,’” Pettit said. “But what can we do to make that environment more soothing? Without the bright lights, the ability to dim them, that type of thing.”

The Indiana READI Grant was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, providing essential funding to upgrade the facility and support Schneck Medical Center’s mission of improving healthcare for the community, according to the news release. This collaboration highlights the importance of public and private partnerships in fostering growth and innovation within the region.