Twenty-seven patients from the private rooms section of the Norwood Hospital have been moved to the Third Floor of the newly-opened West Wing, the hospital announced today. Both ambulatory patients and those unable to leave their beds made the transfer with a minimum of disturbance. They were taken by elevator to the sparkling new facility and wheeled to their bright, cheerful new rooms.
An air of anticipation hung over the preparations for the move when the patients were told of the transfer. Belongings were gathered together with the aid of the nursing staff and patients up and about ambled through the First Floor corridors of the old building asking questions and talking among themselves. Orderlies and nurses aids began wheeling patients to the elevators at 10:00 A.M. Nurses, members of the Housekeeping staff and Dietary personnel began preparations on the new floor earlier.
When patients began arriving on the floor, the lunchtime bustle from the Third Floor Serving Kitchen greeted them as they passed on their way to the new accommodations. The all-electric Hill-Rom beds were freshly made-up awaiting the first occupants of Norwood’s vast new Hospital complex.
Wall mounted television units in every room were ready to use, if so desired, by the patients. With nursing approval, some elected to have
their lunch served to them in the spacious solarium overlooking the Civic field across Winter Street. A complete hot lunch was served on schedule to all patients. Before lunch several patients enjoyed watching Walter Brennan in the “Real – McCoy’s” on the television console.
Down the wide corridor and in a private room, a New York man who was confined to the Hospital as a result of a local auto mishap, busily placed long distance telephone calls to keep in touch with his business.
According to Miss Lillian B Strout, K. N., Director of Nursing, who directed the transfer, everything went smoothly and by afternoon a normal rountine was being followed. I “Our patients were wonder-1 ful,” said Miss Strout. “They were just as enthusiastic and pleased with their new surroundings as were members of our nursing staff. I didn’t hear one complaint.”
Of special significance was the electronic nurse call system in actual use for the first time. A very ill patient’s breathing was frequently monitored during the night while lie was asleep by placing the two-way speaker-microphone on the patent’s pillow. In addition to personal visits by a nurse to check his condition, the night nurse at the Nursing Station dialed the patient’s room and bed number frequently on the console at her desk.
The new 100-bed wing will be occupied gradually beginning with the first group of medical and surgical patients already transferred to the new building. The transfer of patients. will allow extensive alterations and redecorating to get underway in the older buildings.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)