WRH shows off renovated ICU
Dozens of hospital supporters gathered Thursday afternoon for the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Intensive Care Unit at Whitfield Regional Hospital.
Built for what hospital administrator Doug Brewer called a “bargain” at $750,000, the ICU is in the same space as before, but with several upgraded features. An eighth unit has been added. Quick release doors give rapid access to each unit. LED lights, new furniture, negative pressure systems and a more efficient layout will help the ICU nurses and doctors treat their patients.
“It is one of the warmest yet one of the most beautiful ICUs I’ve ever seen,” Brewer said.
In addition, Dr. William Stigler, who administrates the tele-ICU from UAB Hospital in Birmingham, announced that WRH’s facility will be the first external ICU in the state. Each room will have a camera and immediate access to physician consultants at UAB who will work with ICU nurses and hospitalists on site.
“It gives us a chance to be proactive and provide continuous care for the sickest patients” in the hospital, Dr. Stigler told the crowd.
UAB has offered tele-medicine with WRH since 2019. Dr. Stigler called the new service “the natural evolution, the next step” in providing continuous monitoring with critical care doctors and nurses.
After saying “nurses are the lifeblood of the ICU,” Brewer gave the honor of cutting the ribbon to Terry Elmore, WRH nursing supervisor, who oversees the unit.
Laura Harchelroad with Evan Terry Architects in Birmingham has worked on the functional layout and aesthetics of the ICU. The same colors, patterns and designs eventually will extend throughout WRH and its outpatient unit.
Harchelroad explained her firm came up with a master plan for the hospital, creating colors and designs that will last for many years. A physician’s suite in the Outpatient Building also in undergoing a redesign. Three former offices have been combined into a clinic for visiting specialists who see patients in Demopolis. Up to three doctors can work in the clinic at a time, using the 12 exam rooms available.
“The idea is consistency,” explained Brewer. The hospital also serves as a gallery for photos of scenes and iconic landmarks from throughout Marengo County.
Work will begin April 27 on a $5.5 million project to renovate all the public areas, from the front door through to the Emergency Department, using the same master plan designs, said Brewer.
State inspection of the ICU is scheduled for Monday, he continued. The ICU should be operational by the first week in May.