News @ MCRHC
June 4, 2009
Hospital Offers All Private Rooms
Following a national trend, Mitchell County Regional Health Center has converted to all-private rooms. This change for the hospital is designed primarily with patient comfort and satisfaction in mind, but is also part of the nationwide 5 Million Lives Campaign to reduce infection rates and medical errors while improving patient privacy. The hospital will have the ability to convert back to semi-private rooms, if necessary.
According to Christy Syndergaard, Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital, studies show that patients sleep better, maintain better spirits and recover faster when they are allowed private bathroom facilities, their own televisions and the opportunity for family members to stay with them. Research also shows that patients in private rooms have fewer falls, fewer medication errors and shorter stays in the hospital.
“I think this will be a huge satisfier for our patients, their families and the hospital staff,” commented Syndergaard. “This will allow each patient to have more control of the environment and greatly increase privacy while in the hospital. There will be no more worrying about another patient in the room inadvertently overhearing the details of another's illness or treatment.”
Syndergaard stated that the hospital has fourteen private rooms, including a room dedicated to Sleep Lab studies. The extra beds will be stored just off the nursing floor so eight of the private rooms can be converted back to semi-private rooms if those beds are needed.
“We seldom have more than 14 patients at one time but we want to be prepared if there is a need. The privacy curtains and beds are easily accessible if we would need more capacity,” she added.
Sandy Leggett, CEO of the hospital stated, “This project is part of our Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care. We are committed to provide service excellence for all of our patients and their families.”
The public is invited to contact Stephanie Duckert, Public Relations Manager, at 641-732-6000 to schedule a tour of the new private rooms.