Delnor Unveils New West Addition, Largest Expansion in Hospital Hisotry Focuses on Patient-Centered Care
After nearly two years planning and construction, Delnor is preparing to open
the largest addition in the hospital’s history.
The three-story, 100,000 square foot expansion is designed to meet the needs of the burgeoning Central Fox Valley and change the way people think about hospitals, according to Roger Harris, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “As the population of our service area has grown, so has the demand for medical care. In recent years we’ve dramatically expanded outpatient services; this project enables us to increase our inpatient capacity to 159 beds,” says Harris, noting that Delnor’s average daily census during the past five years has risen by nearly 40 percent.
The 52 bed addition – which will be home to orthopedics, oncology, surgery and renal patients – was built after painstaking research into best practices in hospital design and patient care and comfort. As part of its commitment to caring for the whole patient, Delnor is preparing to become the first hospital in Illinois to achieve the Planetree designation. Planetree is a non-profit organization devoted to providing patient/family-centered care in an environment that cultivates healing of the mind, body and spirit. Many Planetree elements were incorporated into the construction of the new addition. For example, all patient rooms are private and spacious and have natural lighting, beautiful furnishings and a large bathroom and shower. There’s even a sleeper-sofa for family members.
“Research shows that patients in private rooms heal faster, and are more at-ease in space that feels less clinical and more like home,” says Lore Bogolin, Delnor’s Chief Nursing Officer. “Simply put, attention to patient comfort is good medicine.”
The addition will feature a host of innovative amenities for patients and their families, such as lounges with fireplaces, balconies, water-features, skylights, a kitchen and an education center with wireless Internet. It also will offer the latest in medical technology, equipment and patient safety, including
• A special lift system in every room that makes it easier and safer for nurses to move patients from bed, to chair to bathroom
• Patient telemetry (heart) monitoring on all medical units, providing nurses and physicians with immediate access to vital patient data
• An advanced nurse call system that will send alarm notification to a nurse’s portable phone when a patient has an immediate need
• Mobile computers and barcode scanners nurses can use at the patient bedside to verify medications
• Special non-slip tile in every bathroom to help prevent patient falls
The addition is being funded, in part, by the generosity of donors to the Delnor Health Care Foundation’s Sophisticated Medicine-Close to Home Campaign, which is also helping to fund the addition of two new operating rooms to accommodate the hospital’s planned open heart surgery program, and the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center in Geneva. The center provides free support services for individuals and families affected by cancer.
To date, more than 800 donations and pledges totaling nearly $8 million have been received from community members; businesses, civic organizations, foundations and hospital board members, leaders, employees and physicians.
“The response shows overwhelming support for Delnor and these important projects, and we’re truly thankful for every contribution,” says Kay Clancy, a Foundation Board Member and Co-Chairman for the campaign. “It demonstrates that our community is dedicated to ensuring that the hospital is able to continue providing the sophisticated medical care and technology patients need right here in Tri-Cities.”
While the campaign has been highly successful, Co-Chairman Bill Flesch says there’s still more work to be done. “We are building on the momentum and seeking additional donations this summer to help us achieve our $10 million fundraising goal.” For more information about the campaign, please call (630) 208-3896.
Delnor Hospital is part of Delnor Health System, which provides a broad range of health care and wellness services for the community. Other components of the system include the Delnor Health & Wellness Center; the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center; Delnor Glen Assisted Living and Townhomes, and medical office buildings in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, Elburn and Sycamore.
300 Randall Road