Where the Heart is
The Riley Heart Center offers a comprehensive range of services
and the latest technology.But it's more than a place - it's a new
concept in the delivery of care to young patients.
A rainbow of overhead light suffuses the hallway of the new fourth-floor
home of the Riley Heart Center. The tranquil atmosphere created
by the subtle light and other homelike amenities belies the high-tech
environment within these walls that house critically ill children.
Although Riley Hospital for Children of Clarian Health has long
been known for its progressive cardiac care, the new Riley Heart
Center has elevated the program's standing to an unrivaled level.
"This center enhances a comprehensive team approach that includes
experienced and expertly trained nurses, neonatology services, anesthesia
services and all other health care delivery people and the ongoing
programs of cardiology," said Timothy M. Cordes, MD, clinical
associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of the center.
"Because of the patient volume, we have a team of nurses who
specialize exclusively in cardiac care; it is a luxury to be able
to extend your care to that level."
During any given year, as many as 650 pediatric cardiac surgeries
take place at Riley Hospital. Those numbers make it feasible to
dedicate specially trained staff who monitor and provide care to
patients at the Riley Heart Center. Specialists also will be on
duty around the clock in the neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric
intensive care unit where premature and newborn cardiac patients
are taken after surgery.
"The Riley Heart Center isn't just a specific space, it is
a concept of care," said Dr. Cordes. "That excellence
in care, provided by highly trained individuals, will prevail in
the fourth-floor unit, PICU, NICU, the operating and recovery rooms
and the Riley Outpatient Center. The team concept extends past the
cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons to all other health care
delivery people."
The newly opened cardiac recovery area includes four private rooms
for post-catheterization recovery and pre-cardiac surgery patients.
Additionally, ten private "step-down" beds for post-operative
and non-post-operative cardiac patients line the hall opposite the
nurses stations. Each of these rooms is capable of intensive care
monitoring.
Around the corner are four private and three semi-private beds
for less acute cardiovascular patients. This area is for cardiac
patients who require less intensive monitoring and nursing care.
Family friendly is the best way to describe the new center. The
unit features an inpatient lounge with a fireplace, a kitchenette
and a private breastfeeding area. Adding to the homelike atmosphere
is the décor of patient rooms: hardwood floors, subtle wall
coverings, mission-style accents, wooden cabinetry, lounge chairs
and other comfortable furniture.
Patient-focused amenities extend beyond the homey atmosphere to
a resource center where family members can use computers to research
conditions, medications and other needs specific to their child's
health.
Each room also is quieter than the traditional hospital room because
the noisy monitoring equipment is located outside the sleeping area.
Augmenting the visual monitoring at satellite nurses stations outside
the rooms is a central telemetry room staffed by highly trained
people whose job is to respond to beeps and bells emitted from the
lifelines of each patient. Technological advances provide each child
with wireless telemetry equipment, allowing them more mobility.
State-of-the-art telemetry is one thing that makes the unit so
unique. The technology offers physicians an opportunity to review
a patient's trends for long periods. The sophisticated technology
stores cardiac rhythm data for twenty-four hours so it can be analyzed
minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour to determine the best route of
care for each patient.
Everything in the Riley Heart Center says "patient first."
To ease the stress for little patients and their parents, the room
design and furnishings allow parents to sleep in the hospital room
instead of in a lounge down the hall. A centrally located activity
area helps keep children occupied, and remote telemetry makes it
possible for them to participate in activities organized by Riley
Hospital's Child Lifestaff.
"The Riley Heart Center is unique to Indiana," said Dr.
Cordes. "Our expertise and patient volume have allowed us to
offer the most progressive care in the best possible setting. I
am very excited about how this helps us achieve our ongoing goal
of enhancing the care of our pediatric cardiac patients."
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