Patients at St. Mark's Hospital may notice some changes the next time they step through the doors.
The hospital has remodeled several areas, including the main lobby and registration, in hope of streamlining patient flow.
Patients previously had to trek from one end of the hospital to the other to have blood drawn and access the radiology department, said Matt Dixon, St. Mark's chief operating officer. Now they can register for all of their procedures at one central desk, and then move to one waiting room that feeds all of the outpatient departments.
The main lobby has also been retooled. The information desk is now right in front of the door, rather than off to the side as it used to be. The entry has high ceilings with windows that allow natural light in, and warm tones and comfortable furniture.
"Nobody chooses to end up here," Dixon said, "but if they do, we want them to be comfortable."
The hospital is remodeling each of its units, one by one, and just completed the ambulatory care unit, where patients prepare or recover from surgery.
The remodel goes beyond aesthetic appeal. Now every patient has a private room with its own computer, allowing medical staff to easily document medications and care given.
Patients in the unit are often nervous about their upcoming surgeries, said registered nurse Leanna Parks, and the private rooms allow St. Mark's pastors or other religious leaders to visit privately to give blessings and counsel.
St. Mark's staff say patients have loved the changes, often commenting on how much easier it is to access care. "Flow is better, and patients are really excited," said Tamara Aganikian, the registration manager.
The centralized waiting area has been popular, Aganikian said, because many patients have trouble getting around. The wheel-and-spokes system, with the waiting area at the center, makes it easy for them to transfer from one station to the next.
The renovations follow a large addition to the hospital's emergency department two years ago, Dixon said. He hopes the unit remodeling will be completed in the next three years. The challenge lies in finding a place to move each unit's staff while the area undergoes construction, Dixon said.
