Crestwood's newest wing adds 30 beds

Saturday, September 08, 2007

By STEVE DOYLE

Times Staff Writer steve.doyle@htimes.com

Orthopedic unit to ease crowding in other areas

Crestwood Medical Center is about to unveil its latest building project.

The for-profit hospital's $26 million orthopedic unit, opening this month, will push Crestwood's bed capacity from 120 to 150. Although Crestwood has been in an expansion mode for years, this is the first time since 1982 that the hospital has won state approval to add patient beds.

The new wing can't open soon enough for Crestwood's new CEO, Dr. Pam Hudson. The hospital off Airport Road gets so packed during flu and pneumonia season, she said, that emergency room patients sometimes have to wait two or three days for a regular room.

"This community has grown so quickly that both (Crestwood and Huntsville Hospital) have been stretched to provide capacity," Hudson said Friday. "We believe we'll fill these new beds very quickly."

Crestwood is already planning another 30-bed expansion for next September. Hospital officials had the general contractor rough in several thousand square feet that can be converted into patient rooms and operating rooms.

Hospital expansions in Alabama often are delayed for years because of opposition from rival hospitals, but Crestwood had an easy time thanks to a change in the state health plan. Under the new rules, hospitals at 80 percent capacity for any two months during a year essentially get a free pass to expand.

Hudson said Crestwood, part of the Community Health Systems Inc. hospital chain, hit 99 percent capacity several days last winter. About 9,100 patients were admitted to Crestwood in 2006, up 5 percent from the previous year.

The new orthopedic unit is on the third floor of Crestwood's east tower. All 30 private rooms are for patients recovering from hip replacements and other orthopedic operations. Down the hall, a large physical-therapy room will be stocked with whirlpools, treadmills and other rehabilitation equipment.

Hudson said having all orthopedic patients on the same floor means that doctors won't have to walk as far to make their rounds. And patients should draw encouragement from being around others who have undergone the same type of surgery, she said.

Connie Watson, Crestwood's chief nursing officer, said the hospital incorporated ideas from nurses, doctors and patients into the new rooms. The beds double as scales, so nurses can check patients' weight without having them step on a scale. Every room also has a plasma TV and wireless Internet access.

Watson said she is most excited about the slim control panel that provides each room with electricity, oxygen, suction and other essentials. Many hospitals have bulky control panels over the bed, forcing nurses to lean over patients to connect tubes and wires. Crestwood put it beside the bed, so nurses can do their thing without bothering patients or their families.

"It's just easier access," Watson said. "The family doesn't have to get up and move around."

Hudson credited Hoar Construction of Birmingham for completing the project about two months ahead of schedule and slightly under budget.

"Our contractors have really worked hard because of our capacity issues," she said.

Crestwood's present orthopedic unit will be converted into a cardiac care unit, and the old cardiac ward will become regular patient rooms. That will give Crestwood 50 beds for general medical problems, up from 38 now.

"The whole reason we're doing this," Hudson said, "is to meet the needs of the community."



Crestwood's newest wing adds 30 beds Saturday, September 08, 2007 By STEVE DOYLE Times Staff Writer steve.doyle@htimes.com Orthopedic unit to ease crowding in other areas Crestwood Medical Center is about to unveil its latest building project. The for-profit hospital's $26 million orthopedic unit, opening this month, will push Crestwood's bed capacity from 120 to 150. Although Crestwood has been in an expansion mode for years, this is the first time since 1982 that the hospital has won state approval to add patient beds. The new wing can't open soon enough for Crestwood's new CEO, Dr. Pam Hudson. The hospital off Airport Road gets so packed during flu and pneumonia season, she said, that emergency room patients sometimes have to wait two or three days for a regular room. "This community has grown so quickly that both (Crestwood and Huntsville Hospital) have been stretched to provide capacity," Hudson said Friday. "We believe we'll fill these new beds very quickly." Crestwood is already planning another 30-bed expansion for next September. Hospital officials had the general contractor rough in several thousand square feet that can be converted into patient rooms and operating rooms. Hospital expansions in Alabama often are delayed for years because of opposition from rival hospitals, but Crestwood had an easy time thanks to a change in the state health plan. Under the new rules, hospitals at 80 percent capacity for any two months during a year essentially get a free pass to expand. Hudson said Crestwood, part of the Community Health Systems Inc. hospital chain, hit 99 percent capacity several days last winter. About 9,100 patients were admitted to Crestwood in 2006, up 5 percent from the previous year. The new orthopedic unit is on the third floor of Crestwood's east tower. All 30 private rooms are for patients recovering from hip replacements and other orthopedic operations. Down the hall, a large physical-therapy room will be stocked with whirlpools, treadmills and other rehabilitation equipment. Hudson said having all orthopedic patients on the same floor means that doctors won't have to walk as far to make their rounds. And patients should draw encouragement from being around others who have undergone the same type of surgery, she said. Connie Watson, Crestwood's chief nursing officer, said the hospital incorporated ideas from nurses, doctors and patients into the new rooms. The beds double as scales, so nurses can check patients' weight without having them step on a scale. Every room also has a plasma TV and wireless Internet access. Watson said she is most excited about the slim control panel that provides each room with electricity, oxygen, suction and other essentials. Many hospitals have bulky control panels over the bed, forcing nurses to lean over patients to connect tubes and wires. Crestwood put it beside the bed, so nurses can do their thing without bothering patients or their families. "It's just easier access," Watson said. "The family doesn't have to get up and move around." Hudson credited Hoar Construction of Birmingham for completing the project about two months ahead of schedule and slightly under budget. "Our contractors have really worked hard because of our capacity issues," she said. Crestwood's present orthopedic unit will be converted into a cardiac care unit, and the old cardiac ward will become regular patient rooms. That will give Crestwood 50 beds for general medical problems, up from 38 now. "The whole reason we're doing this," Hudson said, "is to meet the needs of the community." © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.