St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center celebrated a ribbon-cutting and open house for its new postpartum maternity unit, which is the first in Syracuse to have all private rooms. The event was held July 28, and also included tours of the newly renovated unit.
“We continue to hear from new mothers and their families that they want private rooms,” said Gael Gilbert, RN, director of maternal child services for St. Joseph’s. “We are so pleased with our new unit and hope that our patients will be happy, as well.”
The Hayner Hoyt Corporation, in conjunction with Schopfer Architects, LLP, and ET Engineering, is renovating the postpartum unit, which is just more than 11,000 square feet. It will have 20 private rooms for new mothers that include a 32-inch flat screen television, loveseat/sleeper for dad, large bathroom and shower, built-in patient wardrobe and hairdryer.
In addition, the nursery has been renovated, as well as a reception area, nursing “pods,” staff lounge and family/patient lounge, complete with flat screen television and wireless internet access. With unique flooring and décor, the unit is a calm, respite where mothers can easily bond with their new babies.
“We know that the physical care of the mother is just as important as the psychosocial aspects of her care,” explained Gilbert. “Being able to have her own room helps a mother bond with her new baby, and makes it easier to learn breastfeeding, if she desires.”
Gilbert added that it is better for patients to have their own space, particularly when visitors arrive to see the new baby. With private rooms, no one is inconvenienced by visitors or noise. The privacy also is important to physicians.
“St. Joseph’s has been listening to the needs of their patients who have long expressed a desire to have a private place in the hospital after the birth of their babies,” explained Richard Waldman, MD, chair of the OB/GYN department at St. Joseph’s. “The hospital has had this for a number of years in its Birth Place and women have responded positively, as a result. This move to all private rooms is a step forward and will enhance the ability of women to be with their babies and families during those all-important first few days after the birth of their babies.”
Dr. Waldman said the privacy also makes it easier for physicians to teach and educate their patients without worrying about what is being overheard by a roommate.
In addition to all private rooms, St. Joseph’s also is the only hospital with full room service for its new mothers. A full menu is available during the day and healthy selections also are kept on the unit for times when room service is unavailable in the middle of the night.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center (www.sjhsyr.org) is a not-for-profit, 431-bed hospital and health care network providing services to patients from Onondaga and 15 surrounding counties. Through prevention programs and the latest diagnostic treatment procedures, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center works with patients to achieve optimum long-term health. A nine-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award, St. Joseph’s is recognized as a Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest honor bestowed on a hospital for nursing care. Affiliated with Franciscan Management Services, St. Joseph’s is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis. For more information on St. Joseph’s programs and services, call the Resource Line at 315-703-2138 or 1-888-STJOES1.
