Transylvania Regional Hospital Case for Support

Transylvania Regional Hospital

A New Transylvania Regional Hospital Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH) was established in 1933, and remains a pillar of the community to this day.

Over the years the hospital has changed, as has the community it serves. The region’s population now tops over 33,000 residents, and demographic projections for Transylvania County indicate that the cohort expected to grow most quickly over the coming decades are residents age 55 years and over.

A 2015 Transylvania Community Health Assessment, which drew in data from many stakeholders and Transylvania Regional Hospital, found that 37% of the population has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, 35% have high blood cholesterol, and 4% are diagnosed as diabetic; another 10.9% of community members are pre-diabetic.

The aging population of the region, combined with these health demographics, presents a severe need for an increase in specialized hospital services.

With an emphasis now on disease prevention, wellness and healthcare efficiency (per regulations of the Affordable Care Act), rather than intensive, in-patient hospital treatment, TRH must become a more robust health and wellness resource for its community, as well as a center of excellence for in-patient and out-patient care.

To accomplish these goals and deliver high-quality local care, TRH requires updates to its facilities and equipment.

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Future Considerations: The Most Urgent Needs of Transylvania Regional Hospital TRH and Mission Health have identified essential needs for the hospital that will significantly advance the facilities and services available to the community. In addition to a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department, a modern, more efficiently designed Surgical Center will provide safer surgeries, and a new Cancer Center will accommodate cancer patients throughout their treatment journey.

The Surgical Center A complex mix of technological, ergonomic, privacy and safety-focused elements contribute to a successful and efficient operating room (OR). Crucial to OR success are adequate pre- and post-operation spaces to ensure patient safety, to support clinician efficiency, and to comfort loved ones. To achieve these goals, the new TRH Surgical Center must include: • Private and safer spaces: Pre- and post-operating areas will be designed so private medical information remains protected, and approved by The Joint Commission, a nonprofit accrediting organization for US health care organizations. Standards set forth by The Joint commission include, more private and secure patient spaces with solid walls, rather than curtain dividers. Front glass panels are required of t he design, so nurses have easy visual access to patients.

• New pre- and post-operation areas: These areas will be larger, offer more comfort, and allow more movement to accommodate medical staff, as well as patients and loved ones.

• Operating room updates: Technology upgrades will be made to existing rooms so standard OR equipment can be easily linked. For example, radiographic images will be displayed alongside real-time surgery monitors; cords will be removed so there is less movement restriction; surgeons can operate equipment via voice recognition technology or hand control; all patient data will be secured electronically; and post-operation, surgeons can easily provide imagery to the patient on computers during follow-up visits.

• OR adaptability: The new OR system will be adaptable to accommodate future hospital growth, and the system will be customized and flexible to a djust to future needs.

• Sterile processing improvements: A new and more robust Sterile Processing Department will house a new, cold sterilization system which is more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe, so patients are assured that best practices for sterilization are being met.

• Enhanced waiting areas: Waiting areas with ample space to accommodate families and loved ones, as well as private spaces for clinician visits will be added. New and easy-to-clean furniture, flat screen televisions, and improved signage for better navigation will be incorporated. Current hospital feedback indicates that many outpatients, surgery patients, and their families feel challenged when navigating the hospital, which makes for a stressful, rather than streamlined, patient experience.

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Surgical Center Naming Opportunities • Surgical Center • Pre and Post Operating Rooms (18) • Waiting Room • Operating Room Components o Video o Lights o Integration • Sterile Processing Department • Endoscopy

$1,000,000 $25,000 each $50,000 $1.8 million $500,000 $800,000 $500,000 $300,000 $160,000

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A Cancer Program for the Future Nationally one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer, and one in three women will receive a cancer diagnosis. Brevard Cancer and Infusion Center experienced a 22% growth in the number of cancer patients served in 2016 and is on track for 15% growth in 2017. With an aging population and the growing rates of cancer treatment in the area, a more expanded, accessible and efficient cancer program is a vital need in western North Carolina over the next decade and beyond.

The treatment experience will be greatly enhanced with more available local services; care offered close to home eases physical stress, and provides more peace of mind for patients and their families.

With growing treatment options becoming available for oncologists at TRH, more patients can soon be treated locally. Thus, the hospital must plan for an increase in cancer patients requiring diagnosis-through-post-treatment attention. Many challenges the Cancer Program face resemble those facing the hospital at large. Space is insufficient and presents risks for patients and staff. Currently, only patients can be accommodated in Cancer Service spaces, and limited space restricts visitations from loved ones during treatment. The new Cancer Center will be configured and outfitted so both patients and staff enjoy greater safety, space and privacy – which goes a long way in reducing patient stress during diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment phases of their cancer journey.

Despite the current challenges of space and amenities at the Brevard Cancer and Infusion Center, our staff remain dedicated, skilled, and expertly trained. In fact, 100% of our nurses are now oncology-certified. And a new Cancer Center will allow nurses to advance their work, as it will support, rather than challenge, their daily efforts.

The new TRH Cancer Center will offer: • Patient area expansions: The existing three rooms allotted to the department prevent providers from moving easily about the space. Furthermore, with new and additional room for storage of linens, oxygen and wheelchairs, among other supplies, staff can more easily execute their jobs and enhance the patient experience. Additional space is also planned for the scheduling and waiting areas.

• New nursing station: A new, centrally-oriented nursing station will provide nurses with easy access to multiple hospital areas, such as patient infusion area and supply storage.

• Increased lab and pharmacy space • Infusion chairs: In addition to the eight infusion chairs at the Brevard Cancer and Infusion Center, the TRH Regional Cancer Center will add two new infusion chairs, as well as two private room for cancer patients.

• Custom treatment: Proposals to customize the treatment environment according to patient preference will be implemented. Patients can choose to receive treatment in a group setting, semi-private space, or fully private treatment suites.

• Waiting areas: A larger waiting room with a more comfortable family lounge area will be added.

• Upgraded bathrooms: Sufficient and enhanced bathroom facilities are critical for patients and staff, especially since chemotherapy patients experience swift and unexpected gastrointestinal reactions while receiving treatment.

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While most upgrades to the new Cancer Center can be quantified, such as additional infusion chairs or more bathroom facilities, it is also important to note that there are less tangible, but equally important standards, pertaining to the patient and family experience. First and foremost, it is our goal to create a safer and more comfortable experience for patients at TRH, and design a space that accommodates increased patient loads. For example, we anticipate becoming the primary care center for more and more patients from the Etowah and Horseshoe areas.

Another element to improve the patient experience is the incorporations of a new, tranquil outdoor healing space. This space will include plants, and potentially, an art or water feature to provide a sense of peace and calm for patients, visitors and staff.

While many patients receive cancer treatment and services at the hospital, a substantial percentage of patients are admitted at the Infusion Center for blood disorders, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other health issues. Because the needs of these patients are quite different than those of cancer patients, separate spaces for this population will be incorporated into the redesign. This improves our ability to provide better and more customized care for all patient groups.

Both cancer patients and the committed clinicians who treat them will greatly benefit from the facility’s new, larger footprint and accompanying amenities.

During a recent tour of the current facility, Mission Cancer Center Director Dr. Donald Gajewski noticed that patients receiving chemotherapy can’t have a support visitor with them during treatment because of insufficient space.

“The first thing that struck me was that there were no chairs for patient visitors next to the infusion chairs used during treatment. This means that patients are alone when they receive treatment, and without support from family and friends. If there were ever a time when support is necessary, it is when our patients are receiving treatment,” he said.

Despite these drawbacks, patients are still finding TRH to provide exceptional care. Cancer and kidney disease survivor Mark VanHouten remembers his experience at TRH as very positive. He was so impressed by his caregivers that he decided to give back to patients, and now does so regularly. “Cancer changed my perspective on everything, and now I volunteer at the hospital every week so patients know that I walked the same road,” VanHouten notes.

By centering design of the new Transylvania Regional Cancer Center facility programs around the needs of patients, their families, and medical staff, the hospital is poised to provide outstanding cancer care to this community far into the future.

“The first thing that struck me was that there were no chairs for patient visitors next to the infusion chairs used during treatment.

This means that patients are alone when they receive treatment, and without support from family and friends. If there were ever a time when support is necessary, it is when our patients are receiving treatment.”

– Dr. Donald Gajewski, Director, Mission Cancer Center

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Beyond Diagnosis & Treatment: The Cancer Survivorship Program Thanks to advances in treatments and genetic medicine, more and more cancer patients are surviving the disease.

However, the effects of cancer and treatment do not end with the final medical appointment. Cancer survivors deal with emotional, psychosocial and even physical issues post-treatment. This post-treatment experience is akin to symptoms that resemble post-traumatic stress disorder, which can persist for decades after diagnosis and remission. Oftentimes, patients must also manage ongoing physical challenges, and socioeconomic and work issues. The newly reconfigured hospital proposes more space for a fully developed Survivorship Program, which typically includes: • Space for nurse navigators and peer counselors • Nutrition and exercise counseling • Education rooms • Healthy living classes with an integrative healthcare component • A resource library • Services for both cancer patients and those in recovery (post-treatment) Brevard Cancer and Infusion Center Manager Mary Carson said it best when sharing her hope for the new Cancer Center,

“With community support for this new Center, we can increase patient comfort and safety, give patients more choice about their care environment, and offer meaningful help to patients no matter the current stage of their cancer journey.”

Cancer Center Opportunities Cancer Center Nursing Station Outdoor Healing Garden Waiting Room Patient Care Rooms (4) Family Consult Rooms Staff Lounge Education Room

$750,000 $100,000 $250,000 $50,000 $25,000 each $25,000 $25,000 $25,000

There are a myriad of opportunities that fall under the Society of 1885, such as flat panel televisions, infusion chairs and pumps. Please reach out to Lisa Fort (828-877-4016) for additional information regarding these opportunities.

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Transforming Transylvania Regional Hospital for the Future These upgrades will preserve Transylvania Regional Hospital’s designation as a “Top Critical Access Hospital.”

The new Surgical Center and Cancer Center will bring specialty care close to home; adding more square footage and creating smartly-designed patient spaces will not only help us implement cutting-edge surgical and OR technology, but enhance the patient experience.

Community support is essential to help us reach these ambitious redesign goals. And partners in this initiative not only help us significantly improve patient care delivery, but can relish in knowing that they play a fundamental role in creating a brighter healthcare future for Transylvania County.

Community member and devoted Transylvania Regional Hospital supporter, Duke Woodhull, sums it up best as he expresses his gratitude and enthusiasm for his exceptional care at TRH: “Simply put, it’s hard to explain how great it is to live in a town with a world-class medical facility right down the road.”

With solid community commitment, these improvements will help community members and visitors rest assured that superior hospital care will be sustained for years to come.

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