Diagnostic Imaging Department
undergoes expansion
I
n most hospitals, the Diagnostic
Imaging Department is located either
in the basement or tucked away in
some distant corner. In addition, as
hospitals grew, and new diagnostic
equipment was added, this equipment
was often placed throughout the facility
as space allowed.
While Diagnostic Imaging at Kadlec
was never in the basement, it had become
spread out with inefficiencies in patient
flow and registration.
“
As an example, when pediatric
patients need an MRI, they also
may require heavy sedation,” said
Bret McManus, Kadlec imaging director.
“
So, before the procedure was finished,
a pediatric patient may have gone on
11
elevator rides.”
Recently, Diagnostic Imaging
at Kadlec underwent a significant
renovation — with patients in mind.
“
We looked at what made the most
sense for patients,” said McManus.
Among the changes were
consolidating and centralizing the
department into one area, moving
registration for diagnostic imaging
procedures to the Orchard Lobby,
moving the two MRIs so they are now
located next to each other while sharing
a common control room, the addition
of a second Interventional Radiation
suite with a common control room, and
creating space for future expansion.
“
Patients now walk into a beautifully
designed and aesthetically pleasing
department,” he said.“We have space for
staging before a procedure and for recovery
following so patients are comfortable.
Efficiency has improved, as well; that same
pediatric patient we talked about earlier
would now only have one stop.”
The renovated department includes
state-of-the-art equipment such as
a highly flexible robotic angiography
system from Siemens Healthcare. It
allows physicians to visualize vessels
and diseases from all sides with
unprecedented precision. Kadlec is one
of the first hospitals in the country to
implement this technology.
“
As we looked at such a major
renovation, we thought about the future
and made plans for that now,” said
McManus.
“
We are looking to enhance the entire
experience of the patients,” he said.
“
We have implemented a centralized
registration so that patients can
schedule an appointment and register
for the procedure at the same time. We
are working to reduce the time patients
are in waiting rooms.
“
Our renovation was more than
about upgrading facilities; it was about
putting our patients first,” he said.
Kadlec receives top grade
for patient safety
Kadlec Regional Medical Center has been honored with an “A”
Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent
non-profit quality-improvement organization. The group ranked
more than 2,600 hospitals for their safety. The scores were
calculated using 26 measures of publicly available hospital
safety data and represent a hospital’s overall capacity to keep
patients safe from infections, medical and medication errors
and injuries. Only 27.5 percent of hospitals received an “A”
score, with nearly half receiving grades scored “C” or less.
“
This outstanding score is a testament to the doctors,
nurses and our staff,” said Rand Wortman, president and CEO
of Kadlec Health System and Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
“
Our team works diligently to deliver the highest level of care.
We are humbled by the recognition.”
This was the first time Leapfrog presented scores.
To see Kadlec’s scores as they compare nationally and
locally, visit
www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.
www.kadlec.org
7