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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – TUCSON, Ariz.— On Wednesday evening, Sept. 22, Diamond Children’s at University Medical Center will celebrate its formal opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by scores of community members, donors, physicians, state and local officials, board members and other Southern Arizona guests from as far away as Yuma.
“This pediatric medical center has been in the making for more than 15 years, and it is so gratifying to see the building finally finished. We are eternally grateful to Donald and Joan Diamond, who provided the lead gift of $15 million, and to everyone who has donated to make Diamond Children’s a reality,” says Vicki Began, RN, UMC vice president of Women, Children’s and Emergency Services.
“Diamond Children’s is a beautiful new facility with private rooms and state-of-the-art technology,” says Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, head of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and director of the Steele Children’s Research Center. “More importantly, we are providing the best care possible to our young patients through our outstanding physicians, nurses and support staff. Already it is helping us recruit top-notch pediatric sub-specialists to Southern Arizona,” he says.
Diamond Children’s is a “family-centered” pediatric medical center. Family-centered care means that the hospitalized child’s parents are actively involved in all aspects of the child’s care, and the design of the hospital accommodates families’ physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Rooms are designed to make it more comfortable for patients and accessible for parents—from private bathrooms and showers, to comfortable sleeping beds, to laundry facilities. A meditation room provides families time to reflect, pray or meditate, and a healing garden will provide respite for both patients and their families.
“Research shows that a ‘family-centered’ children’s medical center improves health outcomes,” says Lori Throne, RN, BC, MSN, director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Diamond Children’s. “Children have unique needs and require specialized care that is best delivered through a dedicated pediatric facility. Diamond Children’s provides an environment that is positive and healing to children.”
Another key strength of Diamond Children’s is its unique association with the UA Steele Children’s Research Center, a center of excellence at the UA College of Medicine.
“A pediatric medical center connected to an academic research facility provides an integrated system of clinical care, cutting-edge research, and training of the next generation of pediatricians,” Dr. Ghishan explained.
“Diamond Children’s advances the ability of Arizona’s first university — the University of Arizona — to fulfill in stellar fashion its three-pronged mission of education, research, and public service,” says UA President Robert Shelton.
A virtual tour of the new facility is viewable here.
Facts and Figures:
COST: $55 million
Official date open to the public: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
TOTAL BEDS: 134
o NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit): 36 beds; located on the fourth floor
§ The NICU will have special “nesting rooms” where parents can stay with their children long term, and, with the help of medical specialists, learn to simulate their home environment as they transition to provide care for their child at home.
o Medical/surgery rooms: 36 private rooms; located on the fifth floor
§ Each room has a bathroom and shower
§ Sleeping bed for parents
§ Each room has wireless Internet access
§ Shell space for future growth
o PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit): 24 private rooms; located on the sixth floor
§ Each room has a bathroom and shower
§ Sleeping bed for parents
§ Each room has wireless Internet access
o Hematology/Oncology; BMT (Blood and Marrow Transplantation): 20 private rooms; located on the sixth floor
§ Each room has a bathroom and shower
§ Each room has wireless Internet access
o Pediatric Emergency Department: 18 beds; located on the ground floor within the new trauma center
· Separate entrance and lobby from University Medical Center
· 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department
· Pediatric playroom on each floor
· Teen activity room (will serve as a lounge in the evenings)
· Route 66 Café
· Ronald McDonald Family Room
o Washer/dryer available for laundry
o Family room for parents and family members to rest, watch TV, read or use Internet
· Lactation room
· A special area for children to see performances, concerts, graduations or parties
· Library/classroom for children to receive tutoring and catch up on homework
· Meditation room
· Inspiration garden
· Room service available
· Gift shop / toy store
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