The New St. Luke’s Improves Patient Care and Satisfaction
The completion of the $33 million expansion and
renovation project at St. Luke’s, just a few months ago,
has already ushered in an era of increased patient care
and satisfaction, efficiency and quality of care.
The cornerstone of the project — the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department (ED), which doubled the number of patient treatment rooms — has brought about the most dramatic changes.
“As of March 31, we have had more than 100 consecutive days with no hallway beds,” Rapoza said. And, though there is still room for improvement, wait and treatment times also have improved.
“We have averaged about an 80-minute treatment time from triage to release in our ExpressCare 24 area since January 11,” Rapoza said. The goal is to have patients treated and released in 60 minutes or less. ExpressCare 24 treats patients with lesser ailments such as a sore throat or a minor sprain.
Increased Satisfaction for Patients, Staff and Physicians
Better patient flow, increased space for patients and families and shorter wait times have increased satisfaction for all who come in contact with the ED.“The new ED is safer and less stressful for patients and staff alike,” said Cindy Ziewacz, RN, who has worked as a nurse in the ED since 1969. “We have the most up-to-date equipment, it’s quieter and we can better focus on our patients.”
Physicians, too, are happier with the new ED.
“Medical exams can be more complete, thanks to the increased privacy,” said John Stively, MD, ED physician. “That leads to better patient care.”
Patient satisfaction also seems to be on the rise.
“We have seen a five percent increase in patients who say they would ‘definitely recommend’ the St. Luke’s ED to family and friends,” Rapoza said. “Our goal is to increase that rate by another 20 percent by the end of 2007.” Renovations on Patient Units Also Increase
Quality of Care
Elsewhere at St. Luke’s, renovations have led to increased size and improved services.The second floor of the Memorial building is now dedicated to orthopedic surgery patients and is better designed to treat those who have had partial and total joint replacement. Special amenity rooms built on the fourth floor of the Memorial building have become ideal spaces for hospice and palliative care patients and their families. Two new cardiac catheterization labs, featuring the most current design and equipment, are helping to expand Southcoast’s heart care services.
