CEO Monthly Message
CEO Monthly Message
As Norman’s hometown hospital, Norman Regional is always exploring ways we can meet the changing needs of our community. One need we identified was for compassionate, specialized care for patients struggling with chronic illnesses.
The Health System will be providing new services to Norman with a Palliative care, Inpatient Hospice and Infusion Center. This new center will open at Norman Regional Hospital early this summer. It will fill the space left vacant by the Family Birth Center, which moved last year to the new HealthPlex hospital on Tecumseh Road.
Palliative care is specialized treatment for those suffering from terminal or irreversible illness. The Palliative care team considers the complex physical, psychological, social and spiritual issues associated with chronic or advanced illness. The team not only strives to provide the best possible care to the patient now, they also help families determine a plan for the future.
This type of care can often be better for patients or families than a patient remaining in the Intensive Care Unit. In Palliative Care, patient’s families can stay at their bedside through most of their visit, unlike the ICU which has stricter visiting hours due to intense patient care. The Palliative Care and Inpatient Hospice area is perfect for families and outfitted with large, private rooms, sleeper sofas and comfortable waiting areas.
Nurses and doctors working in the Palliative Care and Inpatient Hospice area have specialized training to understand the unique needs of patients at every stage of their illness. The Health System has recruited a new doctor to be the medical director of the Palliative Care Center and consult with patients at both the Porter location and our new HealthPlex hospital.
Our Inpatient Hospice Center differs from what you may think of as a traditional hospice setting. Patients will be treated in ways meant to control their symptoms such as pain and nausea or other long-term issues related to their disease. Our goal for our hospice patients is for them to return to their own homes. Our staff will help patients and their families make all the necessary arrangements for their care after leaving the hospital.
One third benefit of our new program is the Outpatient Infusion Center. This center will provide intravenous therapy to patients with chronic illnesses. For example, patients who need iron infusion, blood or blood products or chemotherapy. The Outpatient Infusion Center will provide a full spectrum of care of ambulatory, self-care patients who:
- May not require hospitalization
- May not be receiving home health care because of insurance constraints
- May prefer the ease and convenience of outpatient appointment
Our hope at Norman Regional is that these specialized services will help our patients and their loved ones as they cope with a lengthy or terminal illness.
David Whitaker, FACHE
President and CEO, Norman Regional Health System
Email your questions to Inquire@nrh-ok.com