UAB's Cardiothoracic Surgical Services will move its pediatric patients to their new home beginning this week. The newly renovated 5W unit of pediatric CV surgery boasts two family suites complete with family living areas furnished with sleeper sofas, TVs, VCRs, refrigerators and microwaves. All of the 17 private rooms on the new unit feature larger bathrooms with bathtubs for the children and decorating touches mimicking the feel of a luxury hotel rather than a hospital room.

October 6, 2000

WHAT:

UAB's Cardiothoracic Surgical Services will move its pediatric patients to their new home beginning this week. The newly renovated 5W unit of pediatric CV surgery boasts two family suites complete with family living areas furnished with sleeper sofas, TVs, VCRs, refrigerators and microwaves. All of the 17 private rooms on the new unit feature larger bathrooms with bathtubs for the children and decorating touches mimicking the feel of a luxury hotel rather than a hospital room.

Other new features include a laundry facility; two recreation rooms (one for children, one for adolescents), complete with computers with Internet capabilities to allow student access to homework assignments and a 250-gallon salt water aquarium.

WHO:

The new unit will be home to children and adolescents who are waiting or have just undergone cardiac surgery, including those children receiving heart transplants. The unit is designed to help children and their families feel more comfortable during extended stays.

WHEN:

Monday, October 9, 2000 at 1 p.m.

Tour the facilities and talk to staff, patients and families.

WHERE:

5th Floor, Wallace Tower (Spain-Wallace Building)

620 19th Street South (Between 6th and 7th avenues)

Meet Media Relations escort at the green awnings

DETAILS:

After reviewing feedback from patient satisfaction surveys, UAB began working on a new pediatric unit tailored to meet the needs of its patients and families. The average stay for a cardiac surgery patient is 8 to 10 days, although some stay longer. During surgery and immediately after, a family has to move from the cardiac unit to the intensive care for close monitoring, making storage of luggage difficult. "Many of the new features, like the storage lockers, may seem like minor details, but make a huge difference to a child and his or her family when they're staying in the hospital for long periods of time," said Richard Pearce, administrative director of Cardiothoracic Surgical Services.