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The Island News
COVERING NORTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
JULY 9-15, 2015
WHAT’S INSIDE?
opens new expanded intensive care unit Left: Keely Reichel, who is training to be a physician assistant, helps ICU respiratory therapist Linda Arp demonstrate the new lift equipment on specialty designed ICU beds. Right: Members of the ICU staff get ready to move into their new expanded facility. Pictured are (front row) Netasha Singleton and Linda Arp; (back row) Jennie Szalay, Debra Gresham, Debbie Murray, Bill Chapman, and the hospital’s director of critical care, Diane Razo.
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o meet the growing demand for critical care services, Beaufort Memorial Hospital has opened a new, expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) able to accommodate 50 percent more patients. As part of an extensive $5 million ICU renovation project, the number of rooms dedicated to patients with lifethreatening injuries or illnesses was increased from eight to 12. Equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac monitors, lift equipment and special beds, the rooms are now larger, making it easier for medical staff to perform procedures and move equipment around as needed. “Having extra space to maneuver is vital when you have several people in a room treating a patient,” said Diane Razo, Beaufort Memorial’s director of critical care. “With the upgraded
equipment we’re able to provide the best care possible to our patients.” Unlike the old ICU rooms that had no natural light, every room in the new department now has a window to the outside. The rooms also were designed with a second window facing a central work alcove, allowing the staff to visually monitor patients from their nursing stations. Four of the rooms are equipped with an overhead boom system that holds attachments and accessories needed to support critical patient care. With medical gases connected to the ceiling-mounted boom rather than a wall, the bed can be moved easily to allow access to the patient’s head and airway during a dire situation. “An overhead boom offers the greatest flexibility,” Razo said.“We can move the bed anywhere in the room and not have to climb over wires and lines attached to the wall.”
Along with a thoughtfully designed family waiting room, the ICU now has a separate consultation room where doctors can speak to their patient’s family in privacy. Located on the second floor of the main hospital building, the space for the new ICU was created during the renovation of the Emergency Department three years ago. Now completed, the staff moved into the new quarters earlier this week. Board-certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist Dr. Peter Manos is the unit’s medical director. Community support underwrote nearly $450,000 of the cost of the new ICU. “We are grateful to everyone who attended or otherwise supported the BMH Foundation’s 2014 and 2015 Valentine Balls which helped spearhead this effort,” Beaufort Memorial Foundation Executive Director Alice Moss said.
Reducing poverty in Beaufort through books Over 55% of children ages six and below live in poverty in South Carolina, and 17% live in extreme poverty. Statistics show that education is a powerful way to fight poverty, so a group of Beaufort citizens decided to try to do something about it. Out of this passion to help in some small way grew what has become First Books of Beaufort. First Books of Beaufort was formed to ensure that all low-income children in northern Beaufort County have books in their homes. The local organization operates under the umbrella of the national First Book organization, a 501(c) (3) company. First Book publishers offer the local organization books at greatly reduced rates every month.
Working with the cooperation of the Beaufort County Elementary Schools, FBOB sponsors monthly story hours for 400 four year-olds at seven Title 1 pre-schools in northern Beaufort County. Some of these children had never held a book before they entered pre-school. The students then take the book home, and at the end of the school year, students will have a library of 9 books in their homes. This age group was chosen in order to get children interested in and excited about books before they enter elementary school. “We often complain about situations that are unfortunate. But rather than
complain, we wanted to do something. We decided to join others who are trying to make a difference,” said volunteer, Peg Schlichtemeier. If you would like to join the effort by becoming a volunteer reader, making a tax deductable donation, or sponsoring a school, please call 843-2175739.
COMMUNITY
Lands End hosts annual July 4th parade
see page 6
PROFILE
Frank Mueller dedicates more than just time to volunteering
see page 10
SPORTS
Dataw dAWGS tennis champions reunite
see page 16 INDEX
Community 2-9 Real Estate 8 Profile 10 Arts 12 Voices 14-15 Schools 16 Sports 16 Dine 17 Wine 18 Gardening 18 Games 19 Pets 20 Events 21 Directory 22 Classifieds 23